Gezicht op de Lagune van Venetië bij Chioggia 1889 - 1903

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande created this etching titled 'Gezicht op de Lagune van Venetië bij Chioggia' or 'View of the Lagoon of Venice near Chioggia'. The subdued palette, dominated by delicate grey tonalities, establishes a tranquil yet melancholic mood. The composition is structured around a sharp contrast between the foreground and background. Notice the cluster of pilings on the right-hand side which anchors the composition. The pilings lead our eye into the vast expanse of the lagoon, subtly rendered with horizontal strokes that suggest both stillness and movement. The buildings and boats in the distance are simplified shapes and lines that emphasize the flatness and expansive openness of the lagoon. This print destabilizes traditional landscape art by reducing Venice to its bare structural elements: the water, the sky, and minimal architectural presence. The emphasis on these essential forms allows us to consider how space and perception are constructed, challenging fixed notions of place and representation.