Francesco Guardi: The Rialto Bridge from the North

For the 2015 season we have secured the loan of an important Conditionally Exempt work by Francesco Guardi (1712-1793) from a private collection. The Rialto Bridge from the North and the Palazzo dei Camerlenghi depicts the famous bridge with its bustling stalls, gondoliers transporting goods and people along the Grand Canal, and the vegetable market (Erberia) to the right. Painted about 1768-9, it is later than the two large views of the basin of San Marco which hang in the East Gallery, and demonstrates Guardi’s mature style which was beginning to develop in the Waddesdon pictures. The painting is thought to have been bought from Guardi by Chaloner Arcedeckne (1741-1809), an English politician, whilst visiting Venice. English patrons on the Grand Tour were important clients for Guardi, and many of his works are found in British collections. A smaller version of the same composition is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, with a pendant view of the church of Santa Maria della Salute. It is likely that this work was originally also part of a pair.

Suitable for
Family friendly

Admission
Normal admission charges apply

Website
www.waddesdon.org.uk/collection/exhibitions/displays-and-installations

Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/mw795?id=EVENT527440