Throughout its existence as a bustling center of seafaring and trade, Venice has loomed large in maritime history. Its location, its governmental policies, and the skills of its citizens made Venice a dominant military power and a major player in international trade by the Middle Ages. Yet little is known of what made that military and trade prowess possible--the early seagoing vessels of Venice. Remains of its ships and boats are few, and written records are rare.
Artistic representations of Venetian ships and boats can offer distinctive clues unavailable in other forms of evidence. To...