The Piazzetta, Venice

Francesco Guardi (attributed to) 1712 - 1793

Summary

This is one of a series of views that Guardi made of eighteenth-century Venice. They show the technique of his later years: a spirited, atmospheric approach that is very different from the measured and orderly style of Canaletto, the other famous view-painter of Venice. This view is taken looking south, with the viewer's back to the Torre dell'Orologio, and the facades of the Doge's Palace on the left and the Libreria on the right. In the left distance can be seen the island and church of San Giorgio Maggiore. In the centre are the columns of San Marco (left) and San Teodoro (right). Small groups of people, including a small dog, are scattered about the square, bringing the scene to life and giving a sense of scale. Guardi came from a family of Venetian artists. He worked first on religious paintings, initially with his father and then with his brother, until the latter's death in 1860. From then on he concentrated on vedute (views) and capricci (fantasy views) of Venice. This work has been attributed to him, because it conforms closely to the style of his last decade, although it can be very hard to distinguish Guardi's work from that of contemporary and other imitators.

Display Label

Piazza San Marco, Venice and The Piazzetta, Venice 1783-93 Attributed to Francesco Guardi 1712-93 Oil on panel Guardi came from a family of Venetian artists, and worked first in his father’s then his brother’s workshops on religious works until the latter’s death in 1860. From then on Guardi concentrated on vedute, or view paintings, of Venice. These two paintings have been attributed to him, as they are in the style of his last decade, but it can be very hard to distinguish his work from that of imitators. Assheton Bennett bequest 1979.518 and 1979.519