Capriccio of the Rialto Bridge with the Lagoon Beyond 1746

Canaletto painted this scene of the Rialto Bridge, with oil on canvas, during the 18th century. Canaletto’s work reflects the unique social and cultural identity of Venice at this time, and the way that the city presented itself to the rest of Europe. The image is idealized, presenting the city as a thriving mercantile centre, full of noblemen, merchants, and gondoliers. We know that Venice was in decline at this point, but Canaletto’s image shows none of this. The painting is not quite photorealistic: the artist moves buildings around to create a harmonious effect, but this is what his buyers wanted. His patrons were British aristocrats on the Grand Tour, who purchased images like this as souvenirs. The art market and the Academy of art played an important part in shaping the artist’s output. If you want to know more, try researching the lives of Canaletto’s patrons, and the organisation of the Venetian art world at this time.