VENICE : PIAZZA SAN MARCO, FROM CAMPO SAN BASSO     Giovanni Antonio Canaletto    Italian          1697-1768 SN 186    Oil on Canvas        1760's by Robert Anderson ARTIST     Canaletto was the most famous view painter of the 18th century. He began work painting theatrical scenery but turned to topography (verduto) early in his career during a vistit to Rome when he was influenced by the work of Panini. By 1723 he was painting dramatic and picturesque views of Venice, marked by strong contrasts of light and shade and free handling.     Meanwhile partly under the influence of Carlevaris and largely in rivalry with him Canaletto began to turn out views which were more topographically accurate, set in a higher key and with smoother and more precise handling - characteristics that mark most of his later work. Canaletto certainly saw Luca Carlevaris' capriccio's and imaginary harbor scenes during his formative years in Venice. Some of his early townscapes appear to have been adapted from engravings and even from paintings by Carlevaris, supporting the hypothesis that after his return from Rome to Venice he spent some time in Carlevaris' studio.

    By 1725-26 he was very much in demand as a specialist of Venetian townscapes and was particularly skilled at "making the sun shine" in his pictures. It was his custom to prepare his paintings outdoors 'on the spot' and 'not at home after an idea' as was Carlevaris' practice.

    His patrons were chiefly English collectors for whom he sometimes produced series of views of uniform size. Joseph Smith an English merchant and British Consul encouraged Canaletto enlarge his repertory to include capricci. In 1746 he went to England and for a time was very successful, painting views of London and various country houses. In 1755 he returned to Venice where he continued active for the remainder of his life.
    Canaletto was highly influential in Italy and elsewhere. Even in its mechanical phases his work is much more than a mere factual record; and by his unobtrusive skill in design, and his power of suffusing his work with light and air, he may justly be regarded as one of the precursors of 19th century landscape painting.
   
SUBJECT
    This painting of Venice depicts the Piazza San Marco seen from Campo San Basso.

PAINTING
    The picture is from a building's shadow out into the piazza. People stand on the balcony of the building to the right while artisans are at work and merchants sit under their awnings with their wares. There is blue sky with bright sunlight but storm clouds are approaching.
    The painting has been dated during the last decade of the artist's life. The mechanical type of spot highlighting is characteristic of Canaletto's later works.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT
    In the 18th century noble families of England usually sent their sons on a "Grand Tour" of the continent as part of their education. The trip might take several years and was often taken with a tutor. Paintings such as the two Canalettos were typical of the paintings in demand by these tourists as souvenirs of their travels.