Canaletto, celebrated for his views of Venice (vedute), depicts the city’s principal square of San Marco, which was described by Napoleon as “the finest drawing room in Europe.” The Basilica of Saint Mark, with its Byzantine architecture, and the imposing bell tower dominate the scene as symbols of the rich history of the Venetian Republic. Canaletto adjusts for the trapezoidal shape of the piazza by reinforcing the perspective created by the ornamental marble pattern of stone pavement that had recently been laid. This painting represents a timeless view of Venice while also capturing a slice of eighteenth-century daily life.
Among Canaletto’s most important patrons were English aristocrats who visited the city on the Grand Tour, often bringing home as souvenirs contemporary depictions of the cities they visited. This painting was bought by the fourth Duke of Leeds after he visited Venice in 1734. When the duke returned to England, he had the painting placed within this type of Scotch pine frame that he favored for works in his collection.
The Grand Canal and the church of the Salute are many artists’ favorite views of Venice. Here, we see the church and the Punta della Dogana, now a Сontemporary Art Museum but, at that time, the customs building, from across the laguna. In the foreground, the gondolas float gently on the water.
Paul Signac was one of the front runners of pointillism, a neo-impressionism style inspired by the theories of French chemist, Michel Eugène Chevreul. According to the theory, dots of different colors placed side by side, when viewed from a distance, mix in the eye to create a new color.
John Singer Sargent, possibly the greatest portraitist of the 19th century, spent most of his life in Europe. He traveled to Venice, as many artists did at the time, but instead of painting the timeless monuments of the city, he was more interested in the city that looms behind the Grand Canal and the flocks of tourists.
A Street in Venice focuses on the everyday people that inhabit the city. A young woman walks the streets clutching her shawl. On the right, we see two men observing her in the shadows as she walks by. The woman looks uncomfortable, perhaps she has noticed them, or maybe they made their presence known by whistling or catcalling at her. We can’t be sure, as their faces hide in the shadows.
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