The façade of the Palazzo Ducale
Original title: The façade of the Palazzo Ducale
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike Canaletto's other Venetian views, this print from 1735–46 focuses solely on the façade of the Doge's Palace. The etching presents the Gothic arches and windows along with the multi-part roofline, while the square in front is animated by figures in 18th-century dress.
Description
The palace front unfolds symmetrically, with its Gothic arched openings and windows, topped by a richly articulated roof section. In the open space before it, several people stand and walk in 18th-century clothing. At the right edge, two columns of St Mark's Square mark the boundary of the image. Above the architecture hangs a clouded sky, suggesting an overcast day. The whole remains in black and white; the gradations of light and dark arise from lines drawn with varying pressure.
Context
Between 1735 and 1746, Canaletto worked in Venice, where he made a name for himself with his vedute. The Doge's Palace was the heart of the Republic: both the Doge's residence and the seat of government. Grand Tour travelers eagerly sought Canaletto's Venetian views, and so this print was likely part of a series with which the artist recorded the city's architecture.
Impact
A quiet, closely observed mood emanates from the print, which underscores rather than emphasizes the weight of the Doge's Palace. Clear lines and the symmetrical layout combine into a harmonious yet richly detailed whole. One reads the view as a sober record, in which the beauty of Venetian architecture nonetheless remains present.
Technique
The motif was etched into a plate, as is usual in intaglio printing; the impression could then be taken from the paper. Canaletto used varying line strength to differentiate shadows and surfaces, giving the print its fine graphic character. It has been trimmed and measures 14.3 × 21.1 cm.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)