The Prato della Valle at Padua 1737 - 1744

Bernardo Bellotto, a noted Italian artist, created this detailed pen and ink drawing of the Prato della Valle in Padua, Italy between 1737 and 1744. The drawing depicts a spacious plaza surrounded by a row of arcades and lined with statues of notable figures from Padua's history. Bellotto's meticulous attention to detail highlights the architectural grandeur of the city, offering viewers a glimpse into the urban landscape of 18th-century Italy. This drawing showcases Bellotto's early development as a vedutista, an artist specializing in the depiction of cityscapes. The Prato della Valle, a public space popular with locals, remains a prominent landmark in Padua, a testament to its enduring architectural heritage.