A Lock, a Column, and a Church beside a Lagoon

Canaletto (Giovanni Antonio Canal)

Created:
Movement:
1768
None
key Notes:
Venetian landscape, Architectural precision
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Dimensions:
20 × 26 5/8 in. (50.8 × 67.6 cm)
medium:
Oil on canvas
story of the work:

We have not been able to find much information about this work, or we believe the information we sourced needed more review.

A Lock, a Column, and a Church beside a Lagoon by Canaletto

Artist: Giovanni Antonio Canal, known as Canaletto

Year: 1768

Medium: Oil on canvas

Artistic and Historical Impact

Canaletto's "A Lock, a Column, and a Church beside a Lagoon" exemplifies his mastery in capturing the serene and intricate landscapes of Venice, a subject for which he is renowned. The painting reflects Canaletto's precise attention to architectural detail and his ability to convey the atmospheric effects of light and water. This work contributes to the rich tradition of vedute, or detailed cityscapes, which were highly sought after by European collectors during the 18th century. Canaletto's paintings played a significant role in shaping the perception of Venice as a picturesque and romantic city, influencing both contemporary and later artists.

Biographical Context

Giovanni Antonio Canal, born in 1697 in Venice, was a prominent figure in the Venetian school of painting. He gained widespread acclaim for his detailed and realistic depictions of Venice, which were popular among British aristocrats undertaking the Grand Tour. Canaletto's work was instrumental in establishing the genre of vedute, and his paintings remain celebrated for their technical precision and evocative portrayal of urban landscapes.

Description of the work:

"A Lock, a Column, and a Church beside a Lagoon" by Canaletto, created in 1768, is an oil on canvas painting that exemplifies the artist's mastery of the Venetian veduta style, characterized by its precise architectural detail and atmospheric perspective. The artwork depicts a serene lagoon scene with a lock, a classical column, and a church, capturing the tranquil beauty of Venice's waterways.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Metropolitan Museum of Art

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A Lock, a Column, and a Church beside a Lagoon