The Island of San Michele, Venice

The work titled "The Island of San Michele, Venice" is an oil on canvas painting executed in 1774 by Francesco Guardi. It portrays a tower, a boat and the cityscape of San Michele, reflecting the Venetian setting of the period. The painting was created as a standalone work, though specific commission details are not documented.

Following its execution, the piece entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it has been housed since its acquisition. The museum's records confirm its material composition, dating to 1774, and its status as part of the permanent collection. No further ownership history prior to museum acquisition is recorded.

The 1774 oil painting The Island of San Michele, Venice by Francesco Guardi is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection. Its depiction of a tower, boat and cityscape illustrates Guardi's skill in rendering Venetian urban scenes. The painting's presence in a major museum has reinforced Guardi's reputation as a leading master of Venetian veduta, influencing scholarly assessments of his impact on later landscape painting. The work's material, oil on canvas, and date of execution are consistently noted across its catalog records.

Created by the Venetian painter Francesco Guardi in 1774, "The Island of San Michele, Venice" is an oil painting that captures a tranquil view of the city's waterways. Guardi, a notable figure of the Venetian School, rendered this scene with characteristic attention to atmospheric detail. The work is now part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a significant example of his later career.

Francesco Guardi initially collaborated with his brother on religious commissions before his artistic focus shifted significantly after 1760. He subsequently became renowned for his vedute, or detailed cityscapes, which often depicted Venice. This painting exemplifies his mature period, showcasing his mastery in rendering the city's distinctive urban landscape and maritime life, a departure from his earlier thematic concerns.