Pontifical Ceremony in SS. Giovanni e Paolo, Venice, 1782

Pontifical Ceremony in SS. Giovanni e Paolo, Venice, 1782 — Francesco Guardi. c. 1783.

Medium: oil on canvas. Dimensions: Framed: 69.2 x 87 x 11.4 cm (27 1/4 x 34 1/4 x 4 1/2 in.); Unframed: 51.4 x 68.8 cm (20 1/4 x 27 1/16 in.).

Collection record: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland. Museum connection according to this source; current display unverified.

The second scene in the series depicts Pius VI celebrating mass in the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, one of the largest churches in Venice and the pope’s residence during his stay. The mass included a performance of the Te Deum, a prayer of thanksgiving set to music by the Venetian composer Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741). Traditionally, the Te Deum was recited in thanks to God for a special blessing, including a papal election or a royal coronation, and thus was appropriate for this historic papal visit.

Source: official collection record. Metadata selected and normalized by Artline from the source export, accessed 10 September 2026; no museum endorsement. Reproduction rights are separate.