The artwork, titled “Piazza San Marco with the Basilica,” was painted by Canaletto in 1730 in Venice, Italy. Rendered in oil on canvas, it belongs to the Baroque art movement and is classified under the genre of veduta. The artwork is presently exhibited at the Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
The artwork elegantly captures the grandeur of Piazza San Marco, with the Basilica of San Marco prominently positioned in the background. The meticulous attention to architectural details and the bustling activity of the square embody the essence of veduta painting, which aims to provide a detailed portrayal of cityscapes. The contrast between the shadowed foreground and the illuminated façade of the Basilica enhances the spatial depth, drawing attention to the intricacies of the structure. The piece exemplifies Canaletto’s mastery in depicting urban scenes with precision and vibrancy, making it a quintessential representation of Baroque artistry in Venice.