Isola del Lazaretto Nuovo

Art Historical Context

**Isola del Lazaretto Nuovo** *Francesco Tironi, 1778/1779* Nestled in the Venetian Lagoon, Francesco Tironi's delicate drawing captures *Isola del Lazaret Nuovo*, a quarantine island established in the 15th century to protect Venice from plagues carried by arriving ships. Created around 1778–1779, this work reflects the late 18th-century fascination with *vedute*—precise, topographical views of Italy's grand landscapes and architecture. Tironi, skilled Venetian artist in the tradition of Canaletto and Guardi, specialized in such lagoon scenes, offering museum-goers a window into Venice's maritime defenses and resilient spirit amid ongoing health crises. Rendered in pen and brown ink with gray wash on laid paper (28.4 x 42.1 cm), the piece showcases Tironi's mastery of line and tone. Fine ink strokes delineate the island's sturdy fortifications and structures, while subtle gray washes add atmospheric depth, evoking misty lagoon light. This technique, common in preparatory sketches for etchings or paintings, highlights the drawing's role as both artistic study and historical document. Acquired through the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund for the National Gallery of Art's collection, this work underscores Venice's blend of beauty and pragmatism, preserving a slice of its quarantine heritage for modern eyes. A testament to Tironi's eye for detail, it invites reflection on how art immortalizes everyday fortifications of public health.