Canale di Ponte Rossa, Venice 1885

Andrew Fisher Bunner made "Canale di Ponte Rossa, Venice" with ink on paper during a time when Venice was a popular subject for artists, particularly those interested in capturing its unique urban landscape and atmosphere. Bunner’s delicate rendering draws us into a quiet canal scene, dominated by architecture and the reflections on the water. The figure in the boat, seemingly a local, is depicted in the midst of their daily life. What does it mean to see Venice through the eyes of someone who is just passing through, versus someone who lives and works there? How does Bunner negotiate the power dynamics between the artist and his subject? By focusing on the everyday life of Venice, Bunner invites us to consider the city beyond its romantic image. He shows us a lived-in space, shaped by the labor and lives of its inhabitants. The artwork prompts us to reflect on how our perceptions of places are shaped by both our experiences and the stories that are told about them.