Vedute altre prese da i luoghi altre ideate 1710 - 1768

This is an etching by Canaletto, titled ‘Other Views Taken from Real and Imaginary Places’. Made in Venice in the mid-18th century, it shows us a bustling city, but perhaps not in the way we expect. While Canaletto is famous for his paintings of grand Venetian landmarks, here we see a scene from the margins. Buildings are crumbling, and the composition is dominated by what appears to be a construction site. Canaletto’s work was fueled by the rise of tourism in Venice, and his patrons were often wealthy foreigners eager to acquire views of the city. But here he offers a glimpse into the everyday lives of ordinary Venetians. Historical research into the economic conditions of Venice at this time, and the history of its urban development, can help us understand the social context of this print. What does it tell us about the artist's own relationship to his city?