Artwork
Santa Maria della Salute
Santa Maria della Salute is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Francesco Guardi. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
These formal attributes reflect Guardi’s veduta approach, emphasizing precise architectural rendering within a luminous atmospheric context.
Santa Maria della Salute is executed in oil on canvas, a support noted in the work’s material specification. The painting measures 53.3 cm in height by 85.7 cm in width and was completed in 1760, as recorded in the catalog entry. Its surface depicts a church, a canal, and a small boat, rendered with the characteristic handling of oil paint that allows layered translucency and fine detail.
The artwork belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and was acquired by William T. Blodgett, who is listed as its former owner. These formal attributes reflect Guardi’s veduta approach, emphasizing precise architectural rendering within a luminous atmospheric context.
History & Provenance
Francesco Guardi executed this oil painting on canvas in 1760, depicting the church of Santa Maria della Salute. The work measures 53.3 by 85.7 centimeters. Historical records indicate that the painting was once owned by William T. Blodgett.
It subsequently entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains housed. The piece is classified as a painting and specifically portrays architectural elements alongside boats and a canal scene.
Santa Maria della Salute is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The painting belongs to the museum's collection of works by Francesco Guardi and was previously owned by William T. Blodgett; its accession number is not specified in the available records. The work dates to 1760 and is executed in oil on canvas, measuring 53.3 cm by 85.7 cm. Exhibition history is not documented in the cited sources, so no specific exhibitions can be attributed to the piece in the provided references.
Overview
Francesco Guardi, a Venetian painter, completed Santa Maria della Salute in 1760 using oil paint. This work exemplifies the Rococo movement and is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. The painting captures a prominent Venetian landmark, showcasing the artist's skill in depicting the city's unique architecture and bustling waterways. It represents a significant aspect of the Venetian School's later period.
Subject & Meaning
The painting centers on the grand Santa Maria della Salute church, distinguished by its twin domes and tall bell tower, situated directly on the water. A wide canal in the foreground teems with various vessels, from small rowboats to larger ships with prominent masts, conveying a sense of daily activity. Surrounding structures, though less ornate, provide a solid backdrop, with steps descending to the calm water, integrating the architecture with the aquatic environment.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Francesco Lazzaro Guardi (Italian pronunciation:; 5 October 1712 – 1 January 1793) was an Italian painter, nobleman, and a member of the Venetian School.
- Santa Maria della Salute
Santa Maria della Salute, Venice
Views of Venice: S. M. Della Salute
Venice: The Dogana and Santa Maria della Salute
The Church of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice
Santa Maria della Salute and the Dogana
View of the Dogana and Santa Maria della Salute
Santa Maria della Salute and Riva degli Schiavoni, Venice
Santa Maria della Salute and the Dogana, Venice
The Church of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice