Artwork
Le Preson. V. [lower left]
![Le Preson. V. [lower left], by Canaletto, ink, 1740](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/canaletto--le-preson-v-lower-left--26be544f774fb814-w1024.webp)
Le Preson. V. [lower left] is an ink print by the Baroque artist Canaletto. It dates from 1740 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Le Preson.
About this work
Overview
Le Preson. V. is an etching on laid paper, created by Canaletto around 1740. It represents a characteristic Venetian cityscape, falling within his series of vedute, or detailed views of urban landscapes.
Subject & Meaning
The etching captures a lively Venetian square, populated by everyday people engaged in mundane activities. Notable architectural elements include tall buildings with arched windows, a central ornate structure adorned with columns and rooftop statues, and a bridge spanning a canal with boats afloat.
Technique & Style
Canaletto employed fine etching lines to achieve depth, with diminishing building sizes in the distance. The composition balances architectural precision with the animate presence of a nondescript crowd, characteristic of his blend of realism and observational detail.
History & Provenance
As part of Canaletto's 18th-century Venetian school output, Le Preson. V. showcases his dual proficiency in printmaking and painting. Born Giovanni Antonio Canal in 1697, Canaletto was renowned for his vedute and occasional capricci, which sometimes merged reality with imaginative elements.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Antonio Canal (18 October 1697 – 19 April 1768), commonly known as Canaletto (Italian: ), was an Italian painter from the Republic of Venice, considered an important member of the 18th-century Venetian school.
![The Market on the Molo [upper left], by Canaletto](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/canaletto--the-market-on-the-molo-upper-left--85c85bc3adc3874e-w320.webp)
