Vue du canal de Santa Chiara, à Venise 1730

Canaletto’s view of the Canal de Santa Chiara, was painted with oils on canvas. Look closely at the materiality of paint, its capacity to mimic light and atmosphere. This is not just a recording, but a rendering of Venice as a mercantile wonderland. The artist employed a range of techniques, from thin washes in the sky to thicker impasto in the architectural details, mimicking the textures of the buildings and the movement of the water. Note the precision of the lines, achieved with fine brushes and a steady hand. Canaletto, along with assistants in his studio, produced these vedute, or view paintings, to cater to the tastes of wealthy tourists. They wanted souvenirs of their travels, luxury goods to show off their experiences. Think about how this relates to issues of labor, class, and consumption. Many hands and much production went into the art of Canaletto and his studio. Understanding the materials, making, and social context is key to understanding the full meaning of this artwork.