ANTONIO CANALETTO
(1697-1768)
P.522
During the course of his career, Canaletto made thirty-four etchings, of which thirty-one were published and the remainder were unique prints. It is difficult to determine the exact dates of these works as Canaletto only dated one of them, but the agreed dates for all these works fall between the period 1735-46. It was in 1746 that he travelled to England, and on his return he made no further etchings, however, he did make further drawings that were engraved by professional engravers.
It has been suggested that he may have taken up etchings as a diversion from his paintings which many have considered were becoming mechanical due to the increase in his commercial success. This suggestion may also be borne out by the fact that very few of his etched works provide views of Venice for which he was renowned throughout Europe. Prą della Valle, is the right hand plate which together with S.Giustina in prą della Vale, forms a panoramic view of the square in Padua. The two plates both bear similar inscriptions, which suggests they were to be printed as one sheet, although there is no known copy. There are also pen and wash studies for both these works at Windsor, (Windsor: 7509 & 7510).
Copyright © Trustees of Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford.
Extract taken from Prints, Cecil Higgins Art Gallery .