In December 1952, photographer Dmitri Kessel traveled to Venice, Italy, to document the city during a period of heavy rain and high tides. This weather led to a condition known as “Acqua Alta,” or high water. Kessel used black and white film to capture the daily life of residents as they navigated the flooded streets and canals. The photographs focus on the physical challenges and the unique visual atmosphere of the winter season.
The Flooding of St. Mark’s Square
St. Mark’s Square, or Piazza San Marco, was the central focus of Kessel’s work. During the flood, the entire stone plaza was covered in several inches of seawater. The city put out “passerelle,” which are long wooden platforms used as raised walkways. Residents and tourists walked in single file along these boards to keep their feet dry. Those who did not use the platforms wore tall rubber boots or tied heavy bags around their legs.
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Kessel captured the reflections of the St. Mark’s Basilica and the Clock Tower in the standing water. The gray, misty light of December reduced the visibility of the distant buildings. Pigeons, which usually cover the square, huddled together on the dry steps of the surrounding arches. The water moved in ripples across the plaza whenever a person walked through the submerged sections.
Daily Navigation and Work
The residents of Venice continued their daily routines despite the rain. Shopkeepers installed metal barriers at their front doors to prevent the tide from entering their businesses. Kessel photographed people carrying large umbrellas as they moved through narrow alleys. The wet stones of the bridges and walkways created a dark, shimmering surface under the streetlights.
Gondoliers wore heavy, dark raincoats while standing on their boats. The canals were choppy and the water levels were high enough to touch the bottom of the lower bridges. Kessel focused on the silhouettes of these workers against the misty background of the Grand Canal. He also recorded the delivery of goods as men moved crates of food and supplies from boats to the raised platforms.
