Piazza San Marco from the Southwest Corner, with the Procuratie Nuove on the Right 1721 - 1783

Curator: Canaletto, though best known for his paintings, also produced many exquisite drawings like this one, "Piazza San Marco from the Southwest Corner, with the Procuratie Nuove on the Right," dating from between 1721 and 1783. Editor: There's a sort of warm melancholy in the sepia tones, a bustling yet faded glory to the scene. I wonder about the ink and charcoal choices for a scene normally rendered in such vibrant color. Curator: Indeed, it's interesting to consider how the artist manipulates ink and charcoal, often materials associated with sketching or preliminary studies, to capture the symbolic weight of Venice itself. San Marco Square, particularly the Procuratie Nuove, represented Venetian power, and I'd venture to suggest Canaletto's drawing echoes the permanence of the empire, and of spiritual fulfillment in earthly structures. Editor: I agree, but I’m wondering about Canaletto's suppliers, even the quality of the paper used to record a city so deeply invested in maritime trade. Think of all those materials flowing into Venice: pigments, dyes, and raw materials transformed into objects that fueled this visual feast! The controlled, almost architectural, cross-hatching reminds us about all those studio practices required in 18th century art production. Curator: You remind me of the architectural perspective techniques, the orthogonal lines, and the use of light and shadow that emphasizes the buildings, but in a different way! Beyond material process, however, there’s something here about the collective consciousness of Venice manifested in its urban design, an image so powerful and so recognizable throughout history. Editor: I'm thinking about that symbolic power coming through the act of reproduction, of creating numerous versions of Venetian scenes. The *process* is as important as any symbolism assigned to buildings. Mass production shapes our modern views of value in Venice. Curator: Perhaps the intersection is the best space, the material supporting the icon in a fascinating loop that keeps Venice perpetually visible in our minds, regardless of the artwork material. Editor: Precisely, revealing new aspects of Venice.