"The Duke cannot deny the course of law, / For the commodity that strangers have / With us in Venice, if it be denied, / 'Twill much impeach the justice of the state, / Since that the trade and profit of the city Consisteth of all nations" - Antonio in The Merchant of Venice
In writing these words in 1600 William Shakespeare put his finger on something central to our democracies' functioning today: the Duke of Venice cannot interfere with the rule of law. Doing so causes harm, to trade, justice and the city.
This is a battle we've been having from long before and every day since. How do we ensure that constitutionalism is central to our institutions? How do we stop overweening power of the state or of individuals which could harm democracy or human rights? How do we ensure the rule of law is respected?
"What news on the Rialto?"
An exhibition is currently on show in Venice entitled Democracy through law: from the Serenissima Republic to the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe (La Democrazia attraverso il Diritto. Dalla Serenissima Repubblica alla Commissione di Venezia del Consiglio d'Europa) captures the enormity of Europe's constitutionalism journey, from its late medieval roots to the most modern mechanisms, especially the European Convention on Human Rights, which is 75 years old on 4 November 2025.
The Most Serene Republic of Venice was traditionally said to have been founded in the year 697 and it lasted until the arrival of Napoleon Boneparte in 1796, ending almost 1,100 years of the state. A kind of proto-constitutional system evolved during that time, with Venice's founding laws, voting system and protections of rights to the fore. The exhibition contains documents, artefacts, and insights that illuminate decades of democratic development.
Among the most interesting exhibits is the graduation report of Elena Lucrezia Corner Piscopia, the world's first female university graduate.
The legal and democratic system of the Venetian Republic is compared in the exhibition to the functioning of the Council of Europe, which the exhibition calls the "cornerstone of fundamental-rights protection in Europe". The Italian Republic, for which Venice was one of the precursors, was of course a founding member of the Council of Europe, and its advisory body on constitutional matters - the Venice Commission - was set up and holds its plenary sessions today in that city (the exhibition was mounted in celebration of the 35th anniversary of that globally recognised body, which today counts 61 members from around the world).
"In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt ... Obscures the show of evil"
This is a unique and valuable exhibition, of course, but the setting equally is spectacular. It can be seen in the Doge's apartments in the Palazzo Ducale (the ancient Doge's palace) on St Mark's Square in the city.
The exhibition will continue until the 6 January 2026. If you are in Italy between now and the new year, it is worth making the time to check out the exhibition, for which tickets can be bought online.
It is worth reminding ourselves how, from medieval origins, and in the face of current democratic backsliding, we have more constitutional democracy and restraints on misuse of state power than at any time in history. As Shakespeare put it, "It is excellent to have a giant's strength, but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant".
Italy and the Council of Europe
More about the exhibition (in Italian)
