Title Page, from Vedute
1735/44
Medium
Etching in black on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Image: 29.4 × 43.3 cm (11 5/8 × 17 1/16 in.); Plate: 30 × 43 cm (11 13/16 × 16 15/16 in.); Sheet: 43.2 × 58.7 cm (17 1/16 × 23 1/8 in.)
Classification
etching
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
93627
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The Venetian artist Canaletto was the preeminent painter of vedute (views) of Italian cities and landscapes in the 18th century. Between 1735 and 1744, he focused on publishing etchings of similar scenes, many of which were partially or entirely fanciful. He dedicated this portfolio to his major patron, the connoisseur Joseph Smith (here Italianized as Giuseppe Smith), who may have supported the project. A resident of Venice from 1700, Smith became the British consul in 1744 and acted as an agen...
About the Artist
Canaletto · 1697–1768
The most famous view-painter of the 18th century, Canaletto's works are characteristically topographically correct with smooth, precise handling. His patrons were primarily English collectors.