Venice, the Molo with Santa Maria della Salute c. 1740 - 1745

Editor: This is Canaletto's "Venice, the Molo with Santa Maria della Salute," painted around 1740-1745 using oil paints. The light feels quite extraordinary in this scene. What draws your eye when you look at this piece? Curator: Primarily, the geometry arrests me. Consider how Canaletto meticulously orchestrates the recession of space. Note the buildings, rhythmic sequences of arches and windows leading toward the vanishing point. Ask yourself about the precision of the perspective; is it perfect? Editor: It seems almost too perfect, which gives it a certain…distance, perhaps? Curator: Precisely! Observe how the rigid linearity of the architecture contrasts with the somewhat looser, more organic forms of the clouds and the figures. It introduces a certain tension, wouldn't you agree? Moreover, the manipulation of light. Look closely at the highlights on the buildings versus the soft gradations in the sky. What is the artist trying to tell us with these juxtapositions? Editor: I suppose he is emphasizing the difference between man-made structure and natural elements? But there is so much detail in the architectural elements that create their own type of texture. Curator: An astute observation! Consider, though, is the level of detail consistent throughout the canvas? Editor: Now that you point it out, the foreground figures are much more defined than the background architecture... interesting. Thank you for helping me to slow down and look at the structure and its elements closely. Curator: It's by analyzing the formal arrangement that we may unlock the artifice and intention embedded in this stunning composition.