Architectural Capriccio: Vaulted Passageway Leading to a Square 1712 - 1793

Francesco Guardi made this drawing, "Architectural Capriccio: Vaulted Passageway Leading to a Square", with pen and brown wash. Its emphasis on architecture reminds us that Venice, in the 18th century, was a city defined by its unique urban fabric. This scene, though imaginary, reflects Venice's preoccupation with perspective and stage-like settings. Guardi presents a theatrical space, perhaps critiquing the city’s reliance on spectacle. The light and shadow, so dramatic, were a feature of Venetian painting. They played on the way the city was presented to tourists, who became increasingly important consumers in the art market. To better understand Guardi, one should look to period guidebooks and travel accounts. These documents offer insight into how Venice marketed itself. As art historians, we aim to reveal how art both reflected and shaped the social and institutional forces of its time.