The Rialto, Venice
1865
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1865
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This painting shows a busy canal scene under a stone bridge packed with arches. People in long dresses and hats crowd the water’s edge, while gondolas glide past. The bridge is lined with buildings, and a few figures stand on its steps. The water is a deep blue, and the sky above is soft and cloudy. The artist used quick brushstrokes to capture light bouncing off the water and buildings. It looks like a snapshot of daily life in a city where canals replace streets. Next, check out how this fits into Realism.
