J.M.W.Turner: In Venice
Venice Grand Canal By Turner
This is one of Turner’s most beautiful, but at the same time
least imaginative, views of Venice. He has given us the full view of the broad
breast of the Canal, filled with gondolas and shipping. On the right is the
Church of Santa Maria della Salute, with its grand flight of steps. and beyond
these the Custom House; in the distance is a forest of masts; and, on left,
beyond a line of Palaces, the bell-tower of St. Mark and the Doge’s Palace.. In
other •pictures of Venice Turner has represented more of the beauty of
its architecture, has
invested it with a greater charm of dreamy poetry; here he seems to have meant
to paint principally the Canal, the highway of commerce and gaiety—the human
work-a-day Venice, full of business and pleasure, unglorified by any beauty but
that of its sun and water. Most prominent of all things, placed at such an angle
as to display most characteristically its peculiar shape, is the black gondola,
with its sharp, curved ends and solitary oarsman; in the centre is a displaying
gaily-coloured flags upon its sailless mast; in the distance the busy Custom
House and the glories of St. Mark’s Square; but all things buildings, shipping.
flags, and sailors, even the sky itself—contribute to the glory of the
all-reflecting Canal.
Turner's methods
of painting
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