Aanlegplaats te Dolo 1707 - 1768

Canaletto’s etching of Dolo captures the transit point on the Brenta Canal sometime in the mid-18th century. Canaletto, born Giovanni Antonio Canal, painted cityscapes of Venice, catering to wealthy British nobles on their Grand Tour. Here, the focus shifts from Venice to a more ordinary, in-between space. Dolo wasn't just a picturesque pit stop. It was where the wealthy Venetians met those involved in labor. While nobles traveled in decorated barks, those who worked in agriculture and the transportation of goods used the common ferry. Through Canaletto's detailed lines, we see both the grand architecture in the background and the everyday scenes of labor and transport. The detailed depiction of these boats is a reminder of the diverse social classes that co-existed in the Venetian Republic, each with their own stories of movement and connection through these canals. By giving prominence to this waypoint, Canaletto invites us to consider the diverse experiences that converged in the Venetian Republic, bridging social strata.