English Dub Review: Arte “The Venetian Noble / A New Chapter“

Overview (Spoilers Below):

In the seventh episode, Arte gives Veronica a portrait for her help, and she meets Yuri Falier, a Venetian noble who offers her a deal to tutor his willful niece and offers her a retainer position as his family’s official portrait artist because she’s a woman who comes from a noble family. Arte really takes the time to consider the position and refuses. After refusing the offer Arte meets Ruthanna, the daughter of Leo’s master. The widow returns to take back her dowry to support her unborn child. Arte goes to Yuri to help Ruthanna get her dowry and he helps on the condition that she goes with him to Venice. She negotiates her time in Venice down to six months to which Yuri agrees to, and later Ruthanna thanks her while entrusting Leo to Arte.

In the eighth episode, Arte parts ways with everyone in Florence and heads to Venice by ship. However, she is troubled by Leo’s parting words, and with the over-worrying, she falls overboard. Arte discusses her worries with Yuri who reassures her with Leo’s request to take care of her. Yuri and Arte arrive in Venice where she is amazed at the city and its occupants of various traders from the Ottomans to the Spanish. Arte later meets Yuri’s sister-in-law and his niece, Katerina. After Yuri and his sister-in-law leave Katerina goes from her shy personality into a rude child who insults Arte then decides to take a nap rather than converse with Arte.

Our Take:

Arte gives us a glimpse of the aristocratic side of society with these two episodes and the episodes might seem irrelevant to Arte’s journey as an apprentice on the artistic side, but the eighth episode presents a good question. What is Arte going to do in the future? For starters, Yuri Falier is a Venetian noble who offers Arte a one in a lifetime opportunity to work as his family’s portrait artist. She initially rejects it after thinking long and hard about it which leads Yuri to formulate a scheme which is typical for nobles to pull off. There’s also how much influence he has over the trade and it’s demonstrated with Ruthanna’s conflict with her in-laws. Furthermore, he questions her on her future plans since it’s inevitable that she isn’t going to be working at Leo’s workshop forever. Arte could work with his family in the future because she offers a unique perspective both as a noble and as a woman as commented by Leo.

The episode also retains the commoner side of society with Darcia, a seamstress girl who Arte teaches to read and write with Veronica’s books. Arte’s interactions with her and Angelo were pretty amusing with the misunderstanding. Then there’s Daphne, the maid assigned to help Arte who considers the young apprentice to be unusual with her introduction. Both interactions show Arte’s impact on other women and how she isn’t the standard noble. There are the guild members and how they’ve grown soft on Arte after the previous episode. They don’t even start conflict at the news on her heading to Venice for her job.

The differences between Florence and Venice are shown as well from Venice’s transportation to the craft they produce. For example, Venetian lacework on Arte’s dress is a neat tidbit in the world of Arte. Additionally, the people that populate Venice and the traders from other countries like the Ottomans and how the anime has distinct outfits for every character.

Lastly, I have to mention Arte and Leo and their relationship is good as always. He gives her advice on Yuri’s offer and says that it’s her choice to make in the end. Leo doesn’t restrain her from taking opportunities which is good for her career. I liked the small scene after Arte left and Leo commented on how quiet the place was and that short remark to the pig was hilarious. Leo has grown used to her during these past few months, and I’ll admit I’m curious to see what the long absence with do for him.

Overall the episodes were good at showing the aristocratic society and ends with a conflict that Arte can’t easily solve with her cheerful demeanor since it involves a child. I look forward to seeing how Arte overcomes this tough challenge. The animations were good, I particular liked how the camera moved a bit to make it look like the ship was swaying as Yuri and the sailor fought with their swords.