Guardi, Piazzetta di San Marco, Venezia

Speranza



Light vibrant touches were used by Guardi to paint Venice.

Guardi reproduced the city's monuments with fidelity, captured with subtle brushwork the scinitillating light and keenly observed the liveliness of the passers-by.

Pupil and imitator of canaletto, who had specialised in Venetian scenes eagerly sought after by foreigners (especially the British), Guardi surpassed his master by his freedom and his sense of colour, which have led some critics to perceive a foreshadowing of impressionism in his work.

In this painting, we can see the Piazzetta, a continuation of St. Mark's Square toward the lagoon, which has not changed since the end of the 18th century.

On the left of the picture is the Doges's Palace.

On the right the campanile and the Loggetta by Sansovino, which by some strange whim he shows stripped of its sculptured decorations --.

Then the Library, with its two superimposed porches, a masterpiece by the same artist.