Views of Venice count among Ziem's preferred motifs. Occidental and oriental architectural influences and the city's unique location on and in the water had special appeal to the young artist and his audience. Ziem visited Venice in 1841 for the first time, up until 1892 he went almost every year. Our picture show the popular motif of an outside flight of steps in elaborate architecure at the "Giardini publici" across which strollers can access the gardens in autumnal hues. Over years Ziem rendered the motif in slight variations in terms of details and perspective, staffage and light incidence, creating ever new and fascinating versions (cf. catalog raisonné´Burdin-Hellebranth 427-498). The painterly glistening pre-impressionist duct, particularly obvious in the marvelous light reflections, is the key element that allows Ziem to capture Venice's special atmosphere in a remarkable manner. [FS]