I Procuratori di S. Marcho

The position of Procuratore di San Marco was one of the highest honorifics of the Republic of Venice, ranking just below the Doge.

Here, a Procuratore di San Marco is depicted seated, in the formal dress of the position. Outside a window, the Redentore church is visible.

They were, as all other high-ranking magistrates of the Republic of Venice, dressed in the traditional toga or vesta.

Source: Habiti d’huomeni et donne venetiane, published by Giacomo Franco, c. 1610, in Venice.

I Procuratori di S Marcho

Caption

I Procuratori di S. Marcho, così detti dalla cura et amministratione che hanno dell’entrate di quell’augustissimo Tempio vestono perpetuamente la toga, essendo questa dignità suprema nella Repubblica.

Translation

The Procurators of St. Mark, called thus due to the care and administration they have of the income of that most august Temple, dress perpetually in toga, this being a supreme position in the Republic.

Other texts

Chiesa del Redentore di Capuzini.

The Church of the Redentore of the Capuchin monks.

The office

The office of Procuratore di San Marco was one of the highest honorifics of the Republic of Venice. In terms of status, they ranked second only to the doge.

Originating in the 800s, as guardians of the Basilica di San Marco, their number and responsibilities changed over the centuries. Initially, only one, then three, and finally nine.

They were charged with guaranteeing the execution of wills, and the protection of property of minors and the mentally infirm.

In 1523, the Procuratori di San Marco also got the responsibility for security in the Piazza San Marco when the Maggior Consiglio was in session. This function is depicted by Giacomo Franco in another print of this series, and also in a later print published by Domenico Lovisa.

The dress

The Procuratori di San Marco wore at all times a long gown with very wide sleeves, usually referred to as a toga, with a stole across one shoulder.

Such a toga was derived from imperial courtly dress in Constantinople, and was a testament to the Byzantine origins of the Republic of Venice.

The doge and the members of the highest offices of state — the Signoria, the Senate, the Council of Ten and the Procuratori di San Marco all wore such dresses.

The Englishman John Evelyn, who was in Venice 1645–1646, wrote in his diary:

The Doge, having heard mass in his robes of state (which are very particular, after the eastern fashion), together with the Senate in their gowns …

Other versions

Giacomo Franco — Habiti d’hvomeni et donne venetiane — 03 mi — I Procuratori di S Marcho

Giacomo Franco — Habiti d’hvomeni et donne venetiane — 03 bnf — I Procuratori di S Marcho

Giacomo Franco — Habiti d’hvomeni et donne venetiane — 03 ia — I Procuratori di S Marcho

Related images

Giacomo Franco -- Habiti d'hvomeni et donne venetiane -- 11 mi -- Loggietta — Giacomo Franco — Habiti d’hvomeni et donne venetiane — 11 mi — Loggietta

Domenico Lovisa -- Il Gran Teatro di Venezia -- plate 01 -- La Piazza di S. Marco — Giacomo Franco — Habiti d’hvomeni et donne venetiane — 11 mi — Loggietta

Loggietta — Habiti d’huomeni et donne venetiane — 11
La Piazza di S. Marco — Il Gran Teatro di Venezia — plate 1
Procuratore, e Cavaliere — Procurator and Cavalier — Grevembroch 1-18

Sources

Bibliography

Franco, Giacomo. Habiti d'huomeni et donne venetiane con la processione della ser.ma signoria et altri particolari cioe trionfi, feste et cerimonie publiche della nobilissima citta di Venetia. Giacomo Franco forma in Frezzaria all'insegna del sole, 1610. [more] 🔗

History Walks in Venice

I Procuratori di S. Marcho — Habiti d’huomeni et donne venetiane — 3