San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice 1883

Andrew Fisher Bunner sketched *San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice*, using graphite on paper, now at The Met. The drawing presents a cityscape dominated by the architectural forms of the church and its bell tower. Bunner’s composition skillfully uses line and space to capture the reflective quality of the water, creating a visual rhythm that guides the eye across the scene. Notice how the repetitive vertical lines of the buildings and the tower contrast with the horizontal expanse of the water. Bunner’s approach reflects an interest in capturing the essence of a place through careful observation and precise execution. The semiotic interplay between architectural solidity and fluid reflection challenges conventional notions of stability and permanence. The drawing prompts a dialogue between form and perception, inviting us to consider how we construct meaning through visual experience. It reminds us that art is a dynamic interplay of interpretation.