Dresden, the Ruins of the Pirnaische Vorstadt 1766

Bernardo Bellotto, known as Canaletto’s nephew, was a master of veduta, a genre of urban landscape painting. This etching, "Dresden, the Ruins of the Pirnaische Vorstadt," depicts the aftermath of the devastating fire that ravaged Dresden in 1760. The ruins of buildings are scattered across the foreground, providing a stark reminder of the destruction. The city's skyline is dominated by the Church of the Holy Cross, with its tall spire, standing as a symbol of resilience. Bellotto’s attention to detail and precise composition are evident in this captivating portrayal of a historical event.