Artwork
The Grand Canal, Venice, Looking Southeast, with the Campo della Carità to the Right
The Grand Canal, Venice, Looking Southeast, with the Campo della Carità to the Right is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Canaletto. It dates from 1734 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a specific view of the Grand Canal in Venice, oriented toward the southeast with the Campo della Carità positioned to the right.
The work depicts a specific view of the Grand Canal in Venice, oriented toward the southeast with the Campo della Carità positioned to the right. As a veduta, the painting functions as a precise cityscape that documents the urban environment, featuring prominent architectural elements such as a tower and various boats navigating the waterway. Created in 1734, the composition captures the daily life and structural character of Venice without introducing allegorical or hidden symbolic layers beyond its literal representation of the site.
The subject matter is strictly defined by the visible canal, the adjacent square, and the vessels present, serving as a factual record of the city's appearance during that period.
Technique & Style
The work is painted in oil on canvas, employing a fine, luminous handling characteristic of Canaletto’s Venetian vedute. The artist’s technique combines precise linear draftsmanship with atmospheric effects, using thin glazes to render the shimmering water and soft Venetian light. Subtle impasto accents highlight architectural details and vessel edges, while broader, smoother passages describe the sky and distant buildings.
The composition balances topographical accuracy with idealized clarity, a hallmark of the genre. No losses or significant damages are recorded, and the painting remains in stable condition with intact glazes and a well-preserved support.
History & Provenance
Created in 1734, the oil-on-canvas cityscape titled The Grand Canal, Venice, Looking Southeast, with the Campo della Carità to the Right is attributed to the Venetian painter Giovanni Antonio Canal, known as Canaletto. This work, classified as a veduta, depicts the canal, a tower, and boats. While the specific commission details and original ownership chain are not detailed in the provided records, the painting is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The work's inception is recorded as January 1, 1734, marking its place within Canaletto's early mature period of producing detailed architectural views of Venice.
The work titled The Grand Canal, Venice, Looking Southeast, with the Campo della Carità to the Right, painted by Canaletto in 1734, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The museum’s catalog records the piece as part of its holdings, though no specific accession number is provided in the available documentation. Exhibition records referenced in the sources do not mention prior special exhibitions of this painting, indicating that its public display history is not detailed in the supplied references.
Overview
The Grand Canal, Venice, Looking Southeast, with the Campo della Carità to the Right is an oil painting created by the Venetian artist Canaletto in 1734. This work exemplifies his renowned skill in depicting urban landscapes, specifically capturing a detailed vista of Venice's iconic Grand Canal. It represents a significant example of the Rococo movement's approach to picturesque and atmospheric scenes.
Context
Born Giovanni Antonio Canal in 1697, Canaletto became a celebrated painter of cityscapes during the 18th century. He specialized in vedute, or highly detailed topographical views, which were popular among Grand Tour travelers. While particularly famous for his depictions of Venice, he also produced similar works portraying cities such as Rome and London, establishing a significant legacy in the genre of urban landscape painting.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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.
The Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge, Venice
The Grand Canal in Venice from Palazzo Flangini to Campo San Marcuola
View of the Grand Canal toward the Punta della Dogana
The Grand Canal in Venice
View of the Grand Canal
View of the Grand Canal, Venice. In the Background S. Maria della Salute
The Grand Canal from the Campo San Vio, Venice
The Entrance to the Grand Canal, Venice
The Grand Canal in Venice with the Rialto Bridge