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| Artist: Guardi, Francesco 2 of 4 |  Previous | Next  |
| Venetian Capriccio, 1760-65 Francesco Guardi Italian, 1712-1793 Oil on canvas 20-5/8 x 15-1/8 in. (52.4 x 38.4 cm) Norton Simon Art Foundation M.1982.1.1.P © 2012 Norton Simon Art Foundation Not on view Guardi's "capricci" - that is, imaginary views or architectural fantasies, are charming improvisations described in an almost sketch-like manner. This example originally belonged to Angelo Querini, the last Venetian ambassador to France in the 1790s. It embodies the decorative and picturesque effect that gained widespread popularity in the eighteenth century. Here the intimate scale, light palette, grace and imaginative depictions stand in sharp contrast to the precision and detail of Guardi's famous predecessor, Canaletto. In this regard the piece belongs fully to the rococo aesthetic. View Provenance |
| Artist: Guardi, Francesco 2 of 4 | Previous | Next |