1735
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Design for a bissona, or a ceremonial gondola is a 1735 by Francesco Guardi, a Baroque work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This drawing shows a long, curved boat covered in fancy gold and floral decorations. Small figures stand along the sides, and birds fly above the water. The paper looks old, with some stains and tears. The boat’s details—like the swirling patterns and tiny gold accents—suggest it was meant for special events, not regular trips. Next, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more drawings like this.
The drawing is a pen-and-ink and watercolour design for a bissona, a ceremonial gondola used in Venetian regattas, featuring an allegorical winged figure of Fame positioned at the left edge. The sheet is filled by the vessel, indicating it may have functioned as a preparatory working design. Francesco Guardi, known for his Venetian views and capricci, created this work during a period when his style evolved toward looser execution. The inclusion of classical and imaginative elements reflects his tendency to blend real Venetian motifs with inventive details.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Francesco Lazzaro Guardi (Italian pronunciation: ; 5 October 1712 – 1 January 1793) was an Italian painter, nobleman, and a member of the Venetian School.
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