View of Cracow Suburb from Nowy Świat street 1778

Bernardo Bellotto’s “View of Cracow Suburb from Nowy Świat street” was created with oil on canvas. This was the traditional medium for painters in the 18th century. The canvas provides a smooth, absorbent surface, allowing for precise detail and luminous color. Bellotto captures the bustling street with remarkable clarity. The urban scene is a product of collective labor: from the construction of buildings, to the manufacturing of carriages, to the tailoring of clothes, all the way through to the work of organizing society. The artist’s hand is visible in the way he carefully renders each element, from the architecture to the figures populating the scene. Yet the painting also reflects the social context of its time. Commerce, class, and community blend into the urban fabric of the city. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we can appreciate how it transcends mere representation. It becomes a window into the world, blurring the lines between art and life, craft and fine art.