A View of the Molo and the Riva degli Schiavone in Venice c. 1750

Francesco Guardi made this oil on canvas painting of Venice sometime in the late 18th century. The real subject of this painting isn’t necessarily the buildings or even the figures, but the paint itself. Look closely at the textured brushwork. Guardi wasn't trying to perfectly mimic reality, but instead captured the atmosphere of Venice through the materiality of his medium. The loose brushstrokes suggest a city always in motion, a hub of trade and social activity. The buildings, rendered with quick, light touches, seem to shimmer in the Venetian light. The figures, mere dabs of color, blend into the scene, each brushstroke contributing to the overall impression of a bustling port city. Consider the labor involved, not just in the painting, but also in the daily life of Venice represented here. By focusing on the act of painting itself, Guardi elevates the everyday, inviting us to see the beauty in the ordinary.