Interior of a Massive Building of Roman Architecture

Canaletto 1697 - 1768

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of a drawing attributed to Canaletto. The drawing shows a detail of the interior of a large building with several tall archways. An angular wooden staircase winds around a square pillar, connecting to a wooden gallery that runs round the building. There is a bench or table and a door at the ground floor level. Text from the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society: "No. 9: ANTONIO CANALE (CANALETTO)? (b. 1697; d. 1768) INTERIOR OF A MASSIVE BUILDING OF ROMAN ARCHITECTURE British Museum, 1909-1-9-2. Pen and sepia outlines, with Indian ink wash. 25.3 x 19.8 cm. (9 15/16 x 7 13/16 in.). Part of the Interior of a massive building of Roman architecture, apparently in a semi-ruinous state. A wooden staircase has been improvised round a great square pillar connecting with a temporary gallery running round the building. This woodwork is drawn with a broader pen and in a warmer tone. If really the work of Canaletto, to whom it has been attributed, this drawing is very unusual. It is like him in the use of pen and wash, but the pen-work shows little of the confidence and accuracy of his brilliantly summarizing manner, in which there is always apparent an enjoyment of penmanship for its own sake. The choice of subject suggests Piranesi; but the drawing lacks the fine strength of Piranesi's hand. Probably the true author has yet to be found. L. B."