Some students noticed a relationship between the
Piazetta in Venice and Renaissance scene designs. The Saint Marc Square
functioned also as an auditorium.
Piazetta
Sansovino's library
Sansovino designed the Library on the square
which was also considered appropriate for theatrical situations. Before its
constructions began, Sansovino knew that the Piazza was already used for
theatrical purposes. There are many paintings which show that the events took
place on the Piazza were watched by many people looking out from the windows
and balconies. One painting like that is the “Procession of Corpus Domini in
Piazza San Marco” by Gentile Bellini.
Procession of Corpus Domini in Piazza San Marco
With Sansovino’s library, a perfect
balance was created between the library and the Doge’s Palace, in other words
between the Ducal Palace and the powers of procurators. Sansovino also cleared the
Piazetta of market stalls to leave place between the columns for public
spectacles. They were also many executions on the square which were followed by
spectators standing on the balconies. Finally, the 16th century Venice was a
major center also for comedia dell’arte troupes mainly during carnivals.
