Capriccio: A Street Crossed by Arches (recto) Sketches of Doorway, Staircase and Second Floor of Building(verso)
c. 1720
Medium
Pen and brush and brown ink, with brush and gray wash, over graphite, on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
29.4 × 20.8 cm (11 5/8 × 8 1/4 in.)
Classification
pen and ink drawings
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
113273
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Canaletto made many finished drawings with pen and wash; sometimes they depict an actual scene, but just as often they contain more than a touch of fantasy. This capriccio may be based on reminiscences of the little town of Chioggia.
About the Artist
Canaletto · 1697–1768
The most famous view-painter of the 18th century, Canaletto's works are characteristically topographically correct with smooth, precise handling. His patrons were primarily English collectors.