Piazza San Marco with the Procuratie Nuove on the left and the church of San Geminiano in the background 1735 - 1746

Canaletto created this print of the Piazza San Marco in Venice in the 18th century. It presents the famous square bustling with people against a backdrop of impressive architecture. Canaletto was known for his detailed vedute, or views, of Venice, and he produced many paintings and prints for the tourist market. Venice was a major cultural center, but its political and economic power was declining at this time. Canaletto’s art served to promote Venice as a site of leisure and beauty. In this print, we can see the Procuratie Nuove, which housed government offices, and the church of San Geminiano. The square is filled with figures from different social classes, all engaged in various activities. Prints like these played a vital role in shaping the image of Venice for both locals and foreigners. To better understand this artwork, we can research the history of Venice, the role of tourism in its economy, and the artistic conventions of vedute painting. By exploring these social and institutional contexts, we can gain a deeper appreciation of Canaletto’s work and its significance.