Who painted Palazzo Pesaro, Venice?

Palazzo Pesaro, Venice was painted by W. Alister Macdonald in 1913.

Where can I see Palazzo Pesaro, Venice?

Palazzo Pesaro, Venice is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Palazzo Pesaro, Venice?

Palazzo Pesaro, Venice is associated with Art Nouveau.

Artwork

Palazzo Pesaro, Venice

W. Alister Macdonald , 1913

Palazzo Pesaro, Venice is a watercolor work on paper by the Art Nouveau artist W. Alister Macdonald. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is a watercolour on mounted card portraying a Venetian palace set directly upon the lagoon.

About this work

Overview

The work is a watercolour on mounted card portraying a Venetian palace set directly upon the lagoon. A single gondola, occupied by two figures and a small dog, drifts in the foreground, its reflection mirroring the building’s façade. The composition is rendered in a restrained palette of beige, gray and muted blue, under a softly lit sky.

Subject & Meaning

The painting captures a moment of everyday elegance along Venice’s waterways, juxtaposing the grandeur of the palazzo’s numerous windows and columns with the intimate activity of gondolier transport. The presence of the passengers and their canine companion suggests a leisurely promenade, emphasizing the city’s blend of architectural splendor and quotidian life.

Technique & Style

Executed with delicate brushwork, the artist conveys the play of light on water and stone through subtle washes and fine detailing of arches, shutters and reflections. The use of mounted card provides a smooth surface that supports the precise rendering of architectural elements while maintaining the translucency characteristic of watercolour.

History & Provenance

The picture entered the collection of J.J. Brown after his purchase from the Little Gallery in London in 1915. Decades later, the artist sought to reacquire the piece from Mrs. Hunter, Brown’s daughter, intending to donate it to the Victoria and Albert Museum; the attempt was unsuccessful, but the current owner eventually honored the artist’s wish.

Context

Venetian watercolours were a popular genre among 19th‑ and early‑20th‑century travelers, who sought to document the city’s distinctive architecture and canals. This work aligns with that tradition, offering a precise yet atmospheric view of a palazzo that would have been recognizable to contemporary viewers familiar with Venice’s urban landscape.