Artwork

The Terrace

The Terrace, by Follower of Canaletto, oil, 1745
The Terrace, by Follower of Canaletto, oil, 1745

The Terrace is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Follower of Canaletto. It dates from 1745 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

About this work

Overview

The Terrace is an oil on canvas painted around 1745, attributed to an anonymous follower of the Venetian vedutista Canaletto. It is part of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago and depicts a sunlit café scene set alongside a Venetian canal.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a bustling outdoor café where waiters balance trays of drinks while patrons converse at their tables. A clear blue sky dotted with gentle clouds arches above, emphasizing the leisurely atmosphere of a typical Venetian summer day.

Technique & Style

Executed in the manner of Canaletto, the work employs precise architectural rendering combined with a looser handling of light and water. Visible brushwork catches the reflections on the canal surface, and minor inaccuracies in perspective lend the scene a more informal, human quality.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1745 by an artist working in Canaletto’s circle, the painting entered the Art Institute of Chicago’s holdings in the early 20th century, where it remains on display among other Venetian vedute.

Artist & collection