The artwork, entitled “Rio de Santa Maria Formosa,” was created by John Singer Sargent in 1905. This watercolor piece, sized at 35.08 x 48.74 cm, belongs to the Impressionism art movement and falls under the genre of cityscape. Presently, it is housed in the Rhode Island School of Design Museum (RISD Museum) in Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
In the artwork, Sargent vividly captures a picturesque Venetian canal scene. The composition intricately depicts gondolas navigating beneath a series of arching bridges. The waterway weaves its path through surrounding buildings, rendered with swift, fluid brushstrokes characteristic of watercolor. The reflections on the canal’s surface are portrayed with subtle, shimmering hues, evoking a sense of movement and life. The intimate perspective, possibly from within a gondola, immerses the viewer in the tranquil yet dynamic ambiance of Venice, underscoring Sargent’s mastery in conveying atmosphere and light through the medium.
