View of Piazzetta San Marco towards the Basin and the Island of San Giorgio in Venice

Oil on canvas

71 x 100 cm.

In frame 93 x 124 cm.

Magnificent view of Piazzetta di San Marco in Venice, located between the Doge's Palace and the Marciana Library, with the two iconic columns of San Marco and San Todaro facing the basin with the pier.

The Piazzetta dominates the foreground, animated by numerous figures, with the view extending towards the San Marco Basin in the background and the island of San Giorgio Maggiore emerging majestically on the horizon.

The canvas is the work of an artist active between the 19th and 20th centuries, following the models of Venetian landscape painting based on the paintings of Francesco Guardi (1712-1793), drawing particular inspiration from the master's painting entitled “La Piazzetta di San Marco” (oil on canvas, 46x74 cm), now in Venice at the Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca' d'Oro museum, and generally considered one of the artist's first veduta-style canvases (link: https://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/g%2Fguardi%2Ffrancesc%2F3%2Fguard308.html ).

A late work by Guardi, dating from his mature period, it avoids difficulties and virtuosic perspectives, focusing on light and colour, with some acute observations on the environment. It was immediately very successful, so much so that it became a model for painters of the following century.

Specifically, our painting is signed in the lower left corner by the painter Vittore Zanetti Zilla (Venice 1864 - Milan 1946), who was active in Venice between the 19th and 20th centuries.

After training at the Academy of Venice, where he learned the rules of vedutismo, he followed the models of Giacomo Favretto and Guglielmo Ciardi. In 1898, he undertook a series of trips throughout Europe, which allowed him to substantially update his knowledge of the most innovative trends in painting. This led to a new body of work with a decidedly secessionist imprint, which was exhibited in the most representative international venues, starting with the Venice Biennale, and brought him to prominence.

Paradigmatic of his painting is both the technique - a tempera painted with oil - and the two-dimensionality of the representation, reminiscent of the refined interlocking pieces of a mosaic.

The view, in good condition, is intact with a few scattered retouches, not recently relined, and is enriched by a beautiful gilded frame.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic card.

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