The Fortress of San Andrea from the Lagoon
1784
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1784
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a busy waterway with lots of small boats. Some have tall masts, while others are flat-bottomed gondolas packed with people. In the background, a fortress sits on a narrow strip of land, with a few buildings and trees behind it. The water is calm, and the whole scene is drawn in soft browns and grays. The artist used a mix of ink and a thin, watery paint called gouache to keep things light and airy. The boats look lively, but the fortress stays quiet in the distance. Next, look up gouache to see how this technique works.
