Venice: San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale
c.1740-45RCIN 907428
Canaletto’s viewpoint can be located precisely, standing under the east end of the Procuratie Vecchie. He increased the scale of the Palazzo Ducale by introducing many more arches, and reduced the size of the central bay and domes of San Marco. The drawing was first outlined in light pen, then turned into dramatic finished compositions by the addition of dense shading. This is particularly apparent in the lower bays of San Marco, where detailed penwork has been obliterated by the heavy hatching.