Untitled (20) c. 1890

Ferdinando Ongania’s “Untitled (20)” (c. 1890) is a striking photographic portrayal of the Grand Canal in Venice. The image captures the city’s architectural grandeur with a long, narrow perspective, showcasing the line of palazzi that line the canal. Ongania, known for his meticulous documentation of Venice, employed a large format camera to capture the intricate details of the facades and their reflections in the water, conveying the unique character of this iconic Italian city. The photograph is part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection.