Mestre, from Vedute
1735/44
Medium
Etching in black on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Image: 29.3 × 43 cm (11 9/16 × 16 15/16 in.); Plate: 30.2 × 43.5 cm (11 15/16 × 17 3/16 in.); Sheet: 43.4 × 58.6 cm (17 1/8 × 23 1/8 in.)
Classification
etching
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
159755
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
As more Englishmen took the grand tour of Europe in the 18th century, Venice saw a huge influx in tourists. In order to meet the demand for the works of the popular Venetian artist Canaletto, the British consul to Venice, Joseph Smith, commissioned Vedute (Views), an album of etchings depicting Venetian landscapes. This print shows the landing place for boats plying between Mestre and Venice. Huddled by the river, this busy commercial center is shown populated with horse-drawn carriages and coup...
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.