Francesco Guardi was, after Canaletto, the main painter of views of Venice in the eighteenth century. His early figurative paintings were carried out in association with his brother, Gian Antonio, but in about 1760 Guardi turned to view painting. Following Canaletto, he recorded both the architecture of the city and the celebrations of its inhabitants in interior and exterior scenes. Yet while Guardi followed Canaletto in producing views or vedute, he soon developed his own style, based on a freer handling of paint. He took particular pleasure in rendering the vibrant atmosphere of Venetian light and its dazzling effect on water. These works brought him great success.

The view of the Piazzetta was a subject revisited by Guardi on numerous occasions through the course of his career, each time varying the perspective and figure arrangements. This view looks south from the Piazzetta towards the island and church of San Giorgio Maggiore and is framed on the left by the Palazzo Ducale and on the right by Jacopo Sansovino’s famous Libreria, which flank the columns of San Marco and San Todaro.

Antonio Morassi dated the present painting to Guardi’s early career. The darker tones, more prominent shadows, and animated figures can be likened to other works from this moment, including the Piazza San Marco in the National Gallery, London, the View of San Giorgio Island in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, and the View of the Grand Canal at Ca’ Pesaro in a private collection.

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