Artwork

Views of Venice: The Molo and S. M. Della Salute

Views of Venice:  The Molo and S. M. Della Salute, by Michele Marieschi, 1741
Views of Venice:  The Molo and S. M. Della Salute, by Michele Marieschi, 1741

Views of Venice: The Molo and S. M. Della Salute is a print by the Baroque artist Michele Marieschi. It dates from 1741 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1741, this print by Michele Marieschi captures a bustling stretch of Venice’s waterfront. The composition concentrates on the Molo promenade and the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, presenting a densely populated scene where ships, gondolas, and architectural landmarks converge under a storm‑laden sky.

Subject & Meaning

The image foregrounds a variety of vessels—large merchant ships moored beside a bridge and numerous gondolas navigating the canal—illustrating Venice’s reliance on waterborne traffic. The towering white basilica, with its columned façade and arched windows, dominates the center, while a spired building beyond a curved bridge recedes, emphasizing the city’s intertwining of sacred and civic space.

Technique & Style

Executed as a print, Marieschi employs fine line work and tonal shading to convey atmospheric depth and the texture of rain‑splashed clouds. The crowded arrangement of architectural forms and boats reflects the Baroque penchant for dynamic composition and dramatic contrast, while the precise rendering of structural details underscores his reputation as a vedutista.

History & Provenance

Michele Marieschi, an early‑18th‑century Venetian painter and engraver, is best known for his cityscapes that blend topographical accuracy with theatrical flair. This particular work entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, where it serves as a representative example of his printed output alongside his painted vedute and stage‑design studies.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Michele Marieschi

Artist

Michele Marieschi

Michele Marieschi or Michele Giovanni Marieschi, also Michiel (1710 - 18 January 1744), was an Italian painter and engraver.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.