The Fire at San Marcuola 1712 - 1793

Francesco Guardi's "The Fire at San Marcuola" is a pen and brown wash drawing that depicts a scene of chaos and devastation. Created sometime between 1712 and 1793, the drawing showcases Guardi's mastery of capturing the dynamic energy of an event. The drawing depicts a fire engulfing a cluster of buildings, with a crowd of people looking on in horror. Guardi uses the brown wash technique to create a sense of depth and movement in the drawing, highlighting the dense smoke rising from the blaze.