Francesco Guardi and workshop, 1712-1793 --- --- The Custom House, Venice c. 1780-1790
Through his lively and free application of paint, and by eschewing high finish, Guardi asserts his works are not mere topographic records. His distinctive style produced "magical" effects that captured Venice's unique beauty. Flashes of colour, light and shadow animate surfaces. The scenes are carefully composed, both focused and diffuse: the architecture acts as framework, embellished and enriched by detail - the people strolling, the gondolas, the sails and the masts of ships. Guardi and his workshop painted many such images - in different sizes, some in sets - to meet varying demands of buyers.
Francesco Guardi and workshop, 1712-1793 --- --- The Custom House, Venice c. 1780-1790
Through his lively and free application of paint, and by eschewing high finish, Guardi asserts his works are not mere topographic records. His distinctive style produced "magical" effects that captured Venice's unique beauty. Flashes of colour, light and shadow animate surfaces. The scenes are carefully composed, both focused and diffuse: the architecture acts as framework, embellished and enriched by detail - the people strolling, the gondolas, the sails and the masts of ships. Guardi and his workshop painted many such images - in different sizes, some in sets - to meet varying demands of buyers.