The Grand Canal Seen from Rialto toward the North 1725

Canaletto created this sketch of the Grand Canal using graphite on paper. The choice of materials is simple, almost mundane, but the skill with which they're used elevates the drawing. The graphite, a form of carbon, allows for a wide range of tonal values depending on the pressure applied, and the varying weights of the marks create a sense of depth and atmosphere. It is this mastery of line that defines the work; the artist uses hatching and cross-hatching to build up shadows and volume, suggesting the texture of the buildings and the movement of water. While seemingly casual, the drawing embodies a structured process that involves observation and technical skill. Canaletto's drawings were, in part, a form of artistic labor, as they formed the foundation for his better-known, and more highly valued, paintings. In this way, the drawing offers insight into his wider practice and the economy of art-making in 18th-century Venice. So it’s worth considering: Is the drawing a work in itself, or a step on the way to something else?