Wouldn’t it be nice to be told your ceremonial boat was waiting for you on the canal landing just outside your palace?
That pleasure belonged to the doge, the ruler of the Venetian republic, on a clear, blue-sky day in 1774, as it had for 300 years prior. This moment was captured for history by the brilliant Venetian painter Canaletto (1697-1768), who was at the height of his powers as an artist.
Canaletto, full name Giovanni Antonio Canal (1697-1768), is remembered for his intricately realistic renderings of the “floating city.” His immediately recognizable work, with its crystal clarity and richly detailed architecture, took center place in a popular movement of his time which rapidly became known throughout Europe as the Venetian school.
The title refers to the doge’s ceremonial boat by name: “The Bucintoro on Ascension Day, Docked in Front of the Doge’s Palace.” Once a year on Ascension Day, the doge and other officials boarded this vessel to participate in a ritual celebrating the symbolic marriage of Venice and the sea. The ship was destroyed in 1798 on Napoleon’s orders to consummate his victory in conquering the city. It was a very special vessel, decked in royal red and gold filigree.
Detail of the ship “Bucintoro” as painted by Canaletto in “The Bucintoro on Ascension Day, Docked in Front of the Doge’s Palace,” oil on canvas, 1775.
Although this painting isn’t dated, we know when Canaletto painted it becausse of how he rendered the clock tower of St. Mark’s. The tower has a jagged edge (see pic below) because it was struck by lighting in 1745. Caneletto was an observational painter par excelece.
And here’s a closeup of the belltower (below). Not only are spectators crowding the upper baluastrade and leaning over the stone edge of the next landing, but they’re also visible in the interior of the tower – Canelleto even painted them several layers deep.
Here’s a closeup of the people looking on from inside the palace (below).
And a couple more – look how intricately he painted the marble carvings on the buildings.
Of course, Venice is still one of the most colorful and architecturally interesting cities in the world, with everyday life taking place on canals and most transportation occurring by boat. That’s why so many artists continue to be drawn to it.
The city was documented most by Canaletto, who lived in Venice, and resident artists have also included Bellini, Carpaccio, Veronese, Giorgione, Titian, and Tintoretto. John Singer Sargent did an entire series of paintings in Venice over the course of several years, and visitors to the city today can stand in the same spots where Sargent would have stood to do his paintings.
John Singer Sargent, Gondoliers’ Siesta, c. 1904. Watercolor on paper, 14 x 20 inches
All Aboard: Fine Art Connoisseur Trip to Venice
Each year, Fine Art Connoisseur Editor Peter Trippi and Streamline publisher Eric Rhoads lead a group of art enthusiasts, collectors, and artists through a region of Europe to go “behind the scenes” in the art world. The next trip, October 20-29, includes six nights in Venice and three nights in Verona, a must-see art adventure not on many people’s radar.
The trips involve visiting art museums, often privately and behind the scenes with the help of curators and directors. They’ve also wound up in private homes, visiting with artists or viewing private collections, touring the artwork in churches, or having gourmet meals, as well as enjoying multiple memory-creating unique experiences rarely available to those touring on their own.
Venice promises many special adventures in a city rich with culture, with art created across generations. Due to limitations on our scheduled events, seating is especially limited for this tour. It is recommended that reservations be booked now (also, this is the time to save by advance booking on flights).
This trip does not include airfare, but includes hotels, touring transportation, and most meals. This is a very high-end, VIP-level luxury trip. Art lovers and spouses are welcome. Booking deadline: May 15 or while seats last.
To sign up for the trip, visit www.FineArtTrip.com.
John Singer Sargent
Street in Venice, 1882
Oil on wood, 17 3/4x 21 1/4 in.
John Stobart (1929-2023)
Venice: Moonlight Over the Grand Canal
Oil on canvas, 16 x 20 in.
Publisher Eric Rhoads, painting the Grand Canal, 2012.
Though this trip is a collectors’ trip viewing art from behind the scenes, Rhoads plans to provide an an optional three-day painting Venice painting trip (October 17-19) before the Fine Art Trip begins. This is only available to people in attendance on the full trip, and must be arranged separately through Eric, by contacting [email protected].
