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Artwork

View across the Giudecca Canal toward the Salute and the Campanile of San Marco

William Stanley Haseltine , 1875

View across the Giudecca Canal toward the Salute and the Campanile of San Marco, by William Stanley Haseltine, graphite, 1875
View across the Giudecca Canal toward the Salute and the Campanile of San Marco, by William Stanley Haseltine, graphite, 1875

View across the Giudecca Canal toward the Salute and the Campanile of San Marco is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist William Stanley Haseltine. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:lower right in pen and brown ink: WmS.H.; lower left verso in graphite: (not deciphered)

About this work

Overview

Created around 1875, this work by American landscape artist William Stanley Haseltine depicts a view across Venice’s Giudecca Canal toward the iconic Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and the Campanile of San Marco. Rendered in watercolor on blue wove paper, the composition captures a tranquil stretch of water framed by historic architecture.

Subject & Meaning

The painting presents a quiet Venetian scene, absent of tourist crowds, focusing on the interplay of water, sky, and the city’s baroque silhouettes. Light falls on the dome of the Salute and the towering campanile, emphasizing their prominence while small boats populate the foreground, suggesting everyday activity within a serene setting.

Technique & Style

Haseltine employed a wash of soft blue tones as a ground, allowing the watercolor to convey atmospheric coolness. Graphite underdrawing defines the architectural outlines, while delicate washes build the luminous reflections on the canal. The restrained palette and fluid brushwork reflect the 19th‑century American watercolor tradition of capturing light and mood.

History & Provenance

The work dates to the mid‑1870s, a period when Haseltine traveled extensively in Europe and produced numerous vedute of Italian cities. It remains documented as part of his Venetian series, though specific ownership records after its creation are limited. The piece exemplifies his interest in combining precise architectural rendering with atmospheric watercolor effects.

The Giudecca Canal with Shipping near the Chiesa dei Gesuati
The Giudecca Canal with Shipping near the Chiesa dei Gesuati, David Law

Artist & collection

Portrait of William Stanley Haseltine

Artist

William Stanley Haseltine

William Stanley Haseltine was born on June 11, 1835, in Philadelphia to John Haseltine, a successful businessman, and Elizabeth Shinn Haseltine, an amateur landscape painter.

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of National Gallery of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted View across the Giudecca Canal toward the Salute and the Campanile of San Marco?

View across the Giudecca Canal toward the Salute and the Campanile of San Marco was painted by William Stanley Haseltine in 1875.

Where can I see View across the Giudecca Canal toward the Salute and the Campanile of San Marco?

View across the Giudecca Canal toward the Salute and the Campanile of San Marco is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is View across the Giudecca Canal toward the Salute and the Campanile of San Marco?

View across the Giudecca Canal toward the Salute and the Campanile of San Marco is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of View across the Giudecca Canal toward the Salute and the Campanile of San Marco?

Museum-quality prints of View across the Giudecca Canal toward the Salute and the Campanile of San Marco are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.