Lagoon Capriccio with a Ruined Arch

Francesco Guardi (attributed to) 1712 - 1793

Summary

This is one of a series of capricci, or fantasy views, of eighteenth-century Venice, a genre at which Guardi was an acknowledged master. They show the technique of his later years: a spirited, atmospheric approach that is very different from the measured and orderly style of Canaletto, the other famous view-painter of Venice. This is an imaginative view of the Venetian lagoon on a calm day. On the left, a ruined archway stands at an angle beside the dilapidated remains of a building that once fronted the lagoon. Two men are strolling along the waterfront, the one on the left pointing at the ruins. A sailing vessel is on the water and buildings on the distant shore can be made out through the haze. The artist's brushstrokes are highly visible. Guardi came from a family of Venetian artists. He worked first on religious paintings, initially with his father and then with his brother, until the latter's death in 1860. From then on he concentrated on vedute (views) and capricci (fantasy views) of Venice. This work has been attributed to him, because it conforms closely to the style of his last decade, although it can be very hard to distinguish Guardi's work from that of contemporary and other imitators.

Display Label

An Island in the Lagoon Lagoon Capriccio with a Ruined Arch Lagoon Capriccio with a Church Lagoon Capriccio with a Church and a Bridge Lagoon Capriccio with a Peasant and Cattle Storm at Sea Attributed to Francesco Guardi 1712-93 Oil on panel The upper and lower two paintings here are a pair, and the middle four a series. All are cappricci, or fantasy views, of 18th-century Venice, a genre of which Guardi was the master. They show the technique of his later years: a nervous, spirited approach that is very different from the measured and orderly style of Canaletto, the other famous view-painter of Venice. Assheton Bennett bequest 1979.522, 1979.523, 1979.525, 1979.524, 1979.526, 1979.521