View of Mestre 1737 - 1744

Bernardo Bellotto made this drawing of Mestre using pen and brown ink over graphite. The choice of humble materials is notable, especially given the tradition of grand landscape painting in 18th-century Italy. Bellotto's hand meticulously maps out the townscape, bringing attention to the infrastructures of daily life. Consider the textures he creates: the rough stone of the buildings, the earthy paths, and the smooth water of the canal. These details weren't just observed; they were methodically rendered with the pen, one line at a time. The drawing offers a perspective of labor and class. Look at the buildings, and the barrels that suggest trade and commerce. Bellotto gives us a glimpse into the working life of Mestre, far from the palaces of Venice. By emphasizing the drawing's materials and the intensive process of its making, we move beyond a simple picturesque view. We see an artist actively engaged with the economic and social realities of his time, challenging the established hierarchies of art.