Artwork

Sta. Maria della Salute

Sta. Maria della Salute, by Myles Birket Foster, watercolor, 1850
Sta. Maria della Salute, by Myles Birket Foster, watercolor, 1850

Sta. Maria della Salute is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist Myles Birket Foster. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Sta.

About this work

Overview

Sta. Maria della Salute is a watercolour painting by Myles Birket Foster, portraying a serene Grand Canal scene in Venice, with the eponymous church as its central element.

Subject & Meaning

The painting focuses on Sta. Maria della Salute, prominently situated on the left bank, amidst a tranquil canal setting, reflecting the harmony between Venice's architecture and natural beauty.

Technique & Style

Foster employs watercolour to achieve a delicate, dreamy effect, capturing the soft interplay of light and colour in the sky, water, and buildings, though the influence of Impressionism is noted in the approach to capturing light and atmosphere.

Context

While created in a style that anticipates Impressionist techniques, the work reflects a Victorian-era appreciation for Venetian landscapes, blending realism with a sense of idyllic tranquility.

Legacy

This painting contributes to the broader legacy of Venetian landscape art, showcasing Foster's skill in watercolour and his contribution to the popularisation of Italian scenes among British audiences.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Myles Birket Foster

Artist

Myles Birket Foster

Myles Birket Foster (4 February 1825 – 27 March 1899) was a British illustrator, watercolourist and engraver in the Victorian period. His name is also to be found as Myles Birkett Foster.