The Campo di SS. Giovanni e Paolo, Venice 1743 - 1747

Bernardo Bellotto captured this view of the Campo di SS. Giovanni e Paolo in Venice using oil paint, a traditional medium known for its versatility and ability to render fine details. Bellotto's application of paint mimics the textures of stone, water, and sky. Look closely, and you will notice how the brushstrokes build up the surfaces of the buildings, creating a sense of depth and mass, while the smooth, thin layers evoke the reflections on the canal's surface. The act of painting itself becomes a form of architectural documentation, relying on the traditions of landscape painting to meet the demands of a growing tourist industry. The precision of the painting suggests that Bellotto may have used a *camera obscura*, a device that projects an image onto a surface for the artist to trace. It allowed artists like Bellotto to efficiently produce accurate depictions of famous landmarks for wealthy patrons eager to collect souvenirs of their travels. So, the next time you stand before a seemingly straightforward landscape painting, remember that the artist's choices – from the materials used to the techniques employed – are always loaded with social and historical meaning.