St. Mark’s Basin (1738; Venice, Italy) by Canaletto

St. Mark's Basin - Canaletto - 1738; Venice, Italy

Artwork Information

TitleSt. Mark's Basin
ArtistCanaletto
Date1738; Venice, Italy
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions204 x 125 cm
Art MovementBaroque
Current LocationMuseum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston, MA, US

About St. Mark's Basin

The artwork, entitled “St. Mark’s Basin,” was created by the renowned artist Canaletto in 1738 in Venice, Italy. Executed with oil on canvas, this piece is a quintessential example of Baroque cityscape painting, measuring 204 by 125 centimeters. It is currently housed in the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

In “St. Mark’s Basin,” Canaletto masterfully captures the bustling essence of Venice’s iconic waterways. The scene is teeming with a myriad of boats, ranging from humble gondolas to grand sailing ships, all contributing to the vivacious maritime activity. Dominating the left side of the composition is the imposing Campanile di San Marco, accompanied by other significant Venetian structures that stretch across the horizon. The extensive, azure sky filled with light cloud formations imparts a serene backdrop to the energetic foreground. This confluence of detailed architecture, vibrant human activity, and natural beauty showcases Canaletto’s adeptness at depicting the grandeur and everyday life of 18th-century Venice.

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