Grand Canal - Venice 1880

Otto Bacher made this etching of the Grand Canal in Venice around 1880. This was a time when Venice had already become a popular destination for artists and tourists. Looking at the image, you can see the dome of a church in the background and gondolas floating on the water. Bacher has used a technique called etching to create a highly detailed and atmospheric scene. This technique allowed him to capture the unique light and texture of Venice. Consider the art institutions of the time, which played a big role in shaping what artists chose to paint. Venice, with its rich history and picturesque scenery, was an ideal subject. What is interesting is how Bacher has made the city seem in decline, with scaffolding on the buildings and a sense of melancholy about the city, a far cry from the popular image of Venice. To understand this etching better, we can look at exhibition records and tourist guides of the time. This will provide insight into how Venice was perceived and represented in art and culture.