Gallery
Giovanni Antonio Canal (Canaletto) (1697-1768)
Regatta on the Grand Canal, c.1730
This painting and Bucintoro Returning to the Molo (also at The Bowes Museum) are among the six largest known paintings by Canaletto. In this scene, a regatta (boat race) is being held on the Grand Canal, attended by the Doge (President of Venice). Many regattas would take place on the Grand Canal, but since a number of spectators wear traditional black capes and white masks, this appears to be the annual Carnival Regatta.
The canal, the overlooking buildings and various gondolas lead the eye towards the Rialto Bridge, still a well-known spot in Venice today. Many other buildings are also identifiable, including the Palazzo Balbi, just in front of the Doge's gondola on the left.
Canaletto
Canaletto (meaning 'Little Canal') was most successful during the 1730s when English tourists purchased paintings to take home as a memento of their visits to Venice. Although his views often show a Venice that we still recognise today, Canaletto also painted capricci (imaginary scenes). There is sometimes a sense of the imaginary even in his realistic views, since he used a regular formula of flicks and curves to create the figures that populate his scenes.
Activities, discussions and questions
» A crowd scene - Can you think of events today
that draw crowds like the Carnival Regatta did in Canaletto's
time? For example, the people gathered on the rooftops in Canaletto's
painting are similar to the people who sat on balconies and rooftops
to watch Australia and England play the Ashes Test Series. Study and
practise Canaletto's techniques to paint a crowd scene.
» Venice Now & Then - Compare the buildings
in Canaletto's view of Venice with images you can find in books
or on the Internet. Have things changed? How much?
» One point perspective - Have a go at painting
or drawing a canal or street scene using one point perspective to create
the illusion of buildings receding into the distance.
» What can't you see? Have a go at painting
a capriccio based on what you think might be happening beyond the Rialto
Bridge. Although a capriccio is an imaginary scene, the images used
to create it are usually based on real places. The imaginative part
comes into where you place the people, buildings, water…
Giovanni Antonio Canal (Canaletto) (1697-1768)
Regatta on the Grand Canal, c.1730
Material: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 147.5 cm x 215 cm
Place made: Italy
Accession No: 1982.32.2/B.M
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