San Pietro di Castello, Venice 1885

Andrew Fisher Bunner created this work, San Pietro di Castello, Venice, using pen and ink, a popular medium for its portability and precision. Bunner, an American artist, captures the architectural and social landscape of Venice at a time when it was becoming a popular destination for wealthy tourists. This drawing reflects both an interest in the picturesque and a visual record of Venice's transformation. What resonates for me is the quiet stillness of this image. The choice of pen and ink lends itself to this serene atmosphere, drawing our attention to the architectural details and the way light reflects on the water. We see glimpses of daily life along the canal; the traces of inhabitants who live in and around this iconic structure. Bunner avoids the overtly dramatic or romanticized depictions of Venice, choosing instead to present a more intimate, human-scaled view, inviting us to reflect on our own experiences of place and memory.