In the light of the lagoon

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Hanns-Josef Ortheil novel in light of the lagoon plays in the Venice of the 18th century . The work may well be called a historical novel, although the historical facts are limited to the detailed description of the Venetian upper class.

The book was published by btb-Verlag in 2000.

Table of contents

The Conte Paolo di Barbaro finds the "wild" Andrea during a hunting trip. He seems to be already dead, but wakes up again from his apparent death in the monastery (whose abbot is a friend of Barbaros); he doesn't remember anything but his name. After Andrea visits the Conte in his palazzo , he takes him under his wing. It turns out that Andrea is a gifted observer and draftsman.

At the same time, Conte falls in love with Caterina Nardi, who has returned to her parents' house, and often secretly observes her. However, her father, old Nardi , wants to marry Caterina off to Paolo's brother Antonio in order to keep the Nardis branch. Paolo does not manage to defend himself against this (but very befitting) connection, reason is above the feelings of the class-conscious Venetian. As is customary in 18th century Venice, after marriage, Caterina can choose a cicisbeo , a gentleman who is the companion of a lady of class and with whom she can show herself anywhere without hesitation. Caterina longs for physical love that Antonio does not give her (he leaves soon after the marriage and never visits her at night) and so she begins a relationship with Andrea. This is absolutely forbidden according to Venetian customs. A married woman can have a relationship with another married (or older) man, but never with her Cicisbeo. Andrea, who is fascinated by Caterina's body and wants to draw it, demands that she let herself be viewed naked. Caterina uses this opportunity to seduce the young person. The Conte finally finds out about the connection and denounces Andrea at the highest court. He is locked up and the relationship between the Conte and Caterina (by marriage) takes on a friendly and pleasant form for both of them after a discussion and Caterina's confession. The rest is history: the republic is perishing, Andrea finds his memory in prison and Paolo and Caterina cultivated a friendly relationship until the old age of Conte. Finally, the painter William Turner is introduced, who practices Andreas' painting style, which the Conte completely misunderstood.

personal description

  • Conte Paolo di Barbaro is a member of the Venetian nobility and therefore has a huge property. He seems to be a little tired of life and is passionate about looking at his picture collection. Only the (one-sided) love for Caterina and the presence of Andreas give his life new impetus.
  • Antonio di Barbaro is the brother of Paolo. He is cosmopolitan and (unlike his brother) does not care about the old Venetian traditions. He lives in London most of the time and has taken a liking to the city. He only marries Caterina because he smells good business. Otherwise he doesn't seem interested in women.
  • Caterina Nardi is the neighbor of Barbaros and the eldest daughter of an old Venetian family. She spent her youth in the monastery and, after returning to her parents' palazzo, wants to enjoy life to the fullest. She longs for a marriage because of this, because it gives her the freedom she needs.
  • Giovanni Nardi is Caterina's father. He is very old and the mere fact that he was able to humiliate Paolo by marrying him seems to keep him alive. The sole purpose of the marriage for him was to maintain the branch of the Nardis after having only fathered daughters.
  • Andrea is the beautiful and "wild" youth that Paolo finds in the lagoon. He is extremely friendly and a gifted draftsman. Paolo takes him under his wing until he finally betrays him. Andrea only regains his lost memory at the end of the book.