Burano Triptych

Deep in the Venetian lagoon, in north-eastern Italy, lies the magical island of Burano. It is an island which has been influenced by legends of mermaids and, more prosaically, fog. Whilst it was the swish of the mermaid’s tail which inspired the island’s distinctive white lacework, it was the practical response to the dense, low fog in the lagoon which draws the visual artists. Almost every single house in Burano is painted in a vibrant colour. The result was that the fishermen could see the island in the fog. There are many examples of aesthetically pleasing groups of colourful houses, including the Bo Kaap in Cape Town and the Nyhavn in Copenhagen, but nothing comes close to the beauty of Burano. These three images show the three canal views from the Tre Ponti (“Three Bridges”).

I. I Signi

II: L’Alba

III. I Colori del Giorno