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Le Preson. V. [lower left]

Canaletto

1740

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque 18th Century

Dominant colour

Le Preson. V. [lower left] is a 1740 ink by Canaletto, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Canaletto
When & what style?: 1740 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This black-and-white scene shows a busy square with people walking, talking, and gathering. On the left, tall buildings with arched windows line the street. In the center stands a large, ornate building with columns and statues on the roof. A bridge arches over a canal in the foreground, and boats float on the water. The artist used fine lines to create depth, making distant buildings look smaller. The crowd adds life to the scene, but no one stands out—just everyday people going about their day. If you like this style, check out etching to see how artists use ink and metal plates to make detailed prints.