Capriccio: The Rialto Bridge and The Church of S. Giorgio Maggiore (work of art)

Key Ideas about this Work of Art

• The painting includes two prominent structures in Venice, Italy: the Rialto Bridge and the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore. Both structures were built during the Renaissance and feature designs based on classical antiquity. 
• The cityscape depicted in this painting is not real. Canaletto depicted famous landmarks from different areas of Venice and made them appear to be located beside one another. 
• Capriccio is the Italian word for a whim. The term is used to describe made-up scenes like this one. 
• Canaletto is known for his capriccio works because of his skill in capturing detail and creating balance. These qualities make fictional scenes appear more realistic. 
• Canaletto often painted souvenirs for travelers on the Grand Tour. The Grand Tour was a popular trip among wealthy, young English men in the 18th century. They studied ruins, cities, landscapes, and artworks across Europe. The tour was intended to support a man’s university education. Venice was a common stop on the Grand Tour because many classical buildings and artworks are located there.

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Canaletto was one of the most successful European artists of his time, and his most eager audience was grand tourists who commissioned painted views of Venice as souvenirs. His precise technique gives these works the illusion of accuracy, but he often subtly adjusted architectural details, viewpoints, and topography to create a more harmonious painting.

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