A Lock, a Column, and a Church beside a Lagoon 

Canaletto made this oil-on-canvas painting depicting a lagoon in Venice, sometime in the 18th century. His work is fascinating for social historians because it reveals the ways that Venice understood its own place in the world. Canaletto specialized in these so-called "vedute," or views, that documented the city's architecture and daily life for the consumption of wealthy tourists, especially British aristocrats on their Grand Tour. The painting invites viewers to imagine Venice through a romantic lens. The lock, column, and church create a picturesque scene, representative of Venice's rich history and cultural heritage. The column, often associated with the city's patron saints, and the church, reflect the importance of religion and civic pride in Venetian society. Note how Venice's famous skyline is almost faded into the background, an image that is recognizable and yet distant. Looking at paintings such as this, alongside archival documents and guidebooks from the period, we can better understand the social and economic forces that shaped Venice and its art market.