"Miracle of the True Cross at the Bridge of San Lorenzo" painted by Gentile Bellini is the illustration of one of the legends about the fall of the True Cross from the ship into the Venetian canal and further recovery of the relic. In spite of the religious plot, it is possible to note that the mentioned picture, to some extent, reflects Venice itself.
Firstly, the uniqueness of the given piece of art is in the following fact. Despite the religious context, the painter depicts several aspects which are associated with Venice. It should be emphasized that through the illustration of the miracle, the artist provides the audience with the image of the Renaissance Venice, including the peculiarities of architecture, canals, bridges, and citizens.
Secondly, it should be stated that the painter focuses not only on the depiction of the single individual but on the community. That is to say, the artist shows that people in Venice believed in God; thus, they were united.
At the same time, some researchers think that in this case, the artist depicted everything that he saw, considering the fact that Venice liked demonstrating its favor before God.
A unique connotation, which could be linked with the painting, is the desire of Venice to portray itself as the city protected by the God. The artist has managed to create such a connection between supernatural event and distinctive building of the city, thereby implying that the greatness of the city was linked with its religiosity.
Generally speaking, the painting is a story of the religion and of the nation.
Gentile Bellini's Miracle of the True Cross at the Bridge of San Lorenzo is not so much an illustration of an impossible event, as much as an engaging panorama of an actual city of Renaissance Europe, Venice. Although the miraculous resuscitation of the holy treasure from the waters of the canal makes up the sacred center of the composition, Gentile places a high priority to accurately record such features of urban space as the architecture, the bridges, the waterways, and a myriad of passers by. The miracle unfolds within, and as part of an ordinary life, illustrating that the miracle happens not within remote and fantasized space, but in a familiar environment.
Every single bystander, prince, clergyman or humble inhabitant is participant to this collective act of believing.
Ultimately, I believe that, it teaches us how faith gives unity to a whole community giving sacred character to a public space. We are presented not only the city, which itself becomes a part of the miracle, but in a sense are shown how places derive their eternal existence from history, ritual and by the recollections and recollections of events in the course of which places get their meanings.
