Artwork
Santa Maria della Salute, Venice: Moonlight
Santa Maria della Salute, Venice: Moonlight is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist Edward John, Sir Poynter. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This watercolor shows Venice’s Santa Maria della Salute church glowing under moonlight. The church’s white dome and curved roof stand out against a dark, starry sky.
Poynter painted it while visiting Venice in 1868. He used thin, watery layers to capture the soft light on water. Venice’s canals often inspired artists to play with reflections and shadows.
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Overview
Santa Maria della Salute, Venice: Moonlight is a watercolour painting by Edward John Poynter, created during his visit to Venice in 1868. The work captures the church of Santa Maria della Salute under the soft illumination of moonlight.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the church's white dome and curved roof standing out against a dark, starry sky. The scene showcases the effects of moonlight on water and the surrounding architecture, highlighting the interplay of light and shadow.
Technique & Style
Poynter employed thin, watery layers to convey the soft, diffused light on the water's surface. This technique allowed him to capture the subtle reflections and shadows characteristic of Venetian canals, a subject that often inspired artists to experiment with light and its effects.
History & Provenance
The watercolour was painted during Poynter's major period of artistic activity, between 1860 and 1880. Poynter was a prominent figure in the British art establishment, later becoming Director of the National Gallery, London, and President of the Royal Academy.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Edward John Poynter, 1st Baronet (20 March 1836 – 26 July 1919) was an English painter, designer, and draughtsman, who served as President of the Royal Academy.
