Artwork

The Entrance to the Grand Canal at the Punta della Dogana and Santa Maria della Salute

The Entrance to the Grand Canal at the Punta della Dogana and Santa Maria della Salute is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Canaletto. It dates from 1730 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting presents an expansive view of the entrance to Venice's Grand Canal, focusing on the junction where the canal opens to the lagoon and framing the church of Santa Maria della Salute alongside the customs house at Punta della Dogana. These elements function as recognizable iconographic markers of the city's maritime trade and religious architecture, allowing viewers to identify the location instantly. By rendering the scene with precise perspective and luminous detail, Canaletto creates a documentary-like record of a pivotal urban landmark, reflecting the 18th-century fascination with Venetian topography and the city's identity as a commercial and spiritual hub.

Technique & Style

The handling of the medium demonstrates the artist's characteristic attention to light and spatial depth within the Venetian urban landscape.

Executed in 1730, this work is an oil painting on canvas, adhering to the veduta tradition of precise cityscape representation. The composition captures the entrance to the Grand Canal, featuring the Punta della Dogana and the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute with architectural clarity typical of Canaletto's style. The support measures 61 cm in height and 79.5 cm in width.

The handling of the medium demonstrates the artist's characteristic attention to light and spatial depth within the Venetian urban landscape.

History & Provenance

The Entrance to the Grand Canal at the Punta della Dogana and Santa Maria della Salute is an oil painting on canvas created by Canaletto in 1730, measuring 61 cm in height and 79.5 cm in width. Historical records indicate that the painting was owned by Julius Wilhelm Edwin vom Rath before entering the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it is currently held.

Overview

Canaletto's The Entrance to the Grand Canal at the Punta della Dogana and Santa Maria della Salute, painted in 1730, is an oil painting that exemplifies the artist's renowned cityscapes. This work captures a specific view of Venice, a genre in which Canaletto excelled, establishing him as a prominent figure within the 18th-century Venetian school. It is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum collection.

The Entrance to the Grand Canal, Venice, Canaletto

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Artist & collection

Artist

Canaletto

Giovanni Antonio Canal (18 October 1697 – 19 April 1768), commonly known as Canaletto (Italian: ), was an Italian painter from the Republic of Venice, considered an important member of the 18th-century Venetian school.