ART I admire: by Vittore Carpaccio

Of all the wonders of Venice, none has surpassed the pleasure given to me by this frieze of paintings by Carpaccio - and especially St Jerome and the Lion.  They evoke Venice at the height of its glory.  Orientalism is depicted in an imaginary fashion based on the reality of Venetian trade with the Levant, India and the Orient.  The animals are particularly appealing, the buildings are architectural follies, the turbaned figures in brocade robes the epitome of elegance.