Capriccio of Classical Ruins on a Shore 

Giacomo Guardi made this watercolor called "Capriccio of Classical Ruins on a Shore" sometime between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This was a time when Venice, Guardi’s home, had declined from its former mercantile power. Venetian artists often catered to wealthy tourists who wanted picturesque views, or vedute, of the city. A capriccio is a fantasy that blends real and imagined elements, and in this case, Guardi has created a scene that combines classical ruins with everyday life. We see broken columns and arches alongside peasants and livestock. The painting evokes Venice's glorious past, contrasted with its present state of decay and rurality. Guardi's image offers a commentary on the changing fortunes of Venice. It is as if the old order has collapsed. To better understand Guardi and his art, we can look to guidebooks, social histories, and accounts from the period. Art is always shaped by social and institutional contexts. The historian’s role is to reveal these forces and interpret their meaning.