ARTWORKS

An Architectural Caprice

Francesco Guardi (1712–1793)

The National Gallery, London

An Architectural Caprice

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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This capriccio, or architectural fantasy, is a patchwork of features taken from different buildings in Venice: the archway in the foreground is from the Torre dell'Orologio (clock tower) while the buildings and staircase beyond are from the inner courtyard of the Doge's Palace. Guardi has exaggerated the width of the archway and the distance to the arches beyond to draw our eye further into the painting, while the staircase gives the scene a sense of grandeur.The archway we are looking through is partially in shadow, but patches of intense sunlight cut across the floor and wall to the left. This feels like a snapshot of city life: two men give money to a beggar boy, while a woman in a splash of yellow walks away from us. Guardi has clearly taken delight in depicting particular details, like the statue above the door on the left and the white cloth draped over the windowsill, and the hanging lantern opposite.

The National Gallery, London

London

Read more on The National Gallery, London
Title

An Architectural Caprice

Date

1770-8

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 54.2 x W 36.2 cm

Accession number

NG2523

Acquisition method

Salting Bequest, 1910

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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Artist or maker

Francesco Guardi

1712–1793

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