Artwork
On the Lagoons, Venice.

On the Lagoons, Venice. is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Haite. It dates from 29 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. George Charles Haité’s 1929 drawing *On the Lagoons, Venice* presents a brief, atmospheric view of a Venetian waterway.
About this work
Overview
George Charles Haité’s 1929 drawing *On the Lagoons, Venice* presents a brief, atmospheric view of a Venetian waterway. Executed in pencil, the composition captures a solitary sailing craft drifting on still water, framed by a faint shoreline and a scarcely suggested sky. The work reflects Haité’s shift toward personal, observational drawing in the later phase of his artistic career.
Subject & Meaning
The scene focuses on a modest sailboat with a single mast and sail, positioned against a tranquil lagoon. The minimal treatment of the surrounding shore and sky emphasizes the quiet stillness of the water, inviting contemplation of Venice’s everyday maritime life rather than its grand architectural landmarks.
Technique & Style
Haité employs delicate, scratchy pencil strokes that build form through subtle shading and cross‑hatching. The lines are intentionally loose, creating a sense of immediacy and suggesting a rapid sketch rather than a polished finish. This approach foregrounds tonal variation over intricate detail, giving the drawing a spontaneous, almost diary‑like quality.
History & Provenance
Created during the final years of Haité’s diverse career—after his tenure as a designer, illustrator for publications such as *Strand Magazine*, and founding president of the London Sketch Club—the drawing entered the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection, where it remains accessible for study of his later, more personal work.
Artist & collection
Artist
George Charles Haité (8 June 1855 – 31 March 1924) was an English designer, painter, illustrator and writer.



















