Who painted The Bishop's Tomb?

The Bishop's Tomb was painted by Canaletto in 1740.

Where can I see The Bishop's Tomb?

The Bishop's Tomb is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Bishop's Tomb?

The Bishop's Tomb is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Bishop's Tomb

Canaletto , 1740

The Bishop's Tomb 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.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1740, The Bishop’s Tomb is an etching by Giovanni Antonio Canal, better known as Canaletto.

Created circa 1740, The Bishop’s Tomb is an etching by Giovanni Antonio Canal, better known as Canaletto. Though celebrated chiefly for his painted vedute, Canal also produced prints, and this work exemplifies his capacity to translate architectural observation into the graphic medium. The image presents a richly ornamented funerary monument set within a church interior, rendered with the precise line work typical of his topographical approach.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on an elaborate tomb, its surface crowded with intricate carvings, sculpted figures and gilt details that convey the status of its occupant. Flanking the monument are classical columns and arches, while a tall, pointed window frames the scene, suggesting a sacred space illuminated by filtered light. The emphasis on architectural grandeur reflects the Baroque fascination with spectacle and the social importance of ecclesiastical patronage.

Technique & Style

Canaletto employed the etching process, incising lines into a copper plate before acid biting and printing on paper. The work displays a dense network of hatching and cross‑hatching that models volume and creates atmospheric depth. The crisp linear quality, combined with subtle tonal gradations, captures the ornate surface of the tomb and the surrounding architecture, aligning the piece with the decorative richness of the Baroque aesthetic.

History & Provenance

The print was produced during the early phase of Canal’s career, when he was expanding beyond painting to meet the demand for reproducible images of Venetian landmarks. While the original plate’s whereabouts are unclear, surviving impressions have appeared in 18th‑century print collections and later museum inventories, attesting to the work’s circulation among connoisseurs of architectural prints.

Artist & collection

Artist

Canaletto

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.