The Torre del Orologio 1770

Francesco Guardi made this pen and ink wash drawing of the Torre del Orologio in Venice some time in the late eighteenth century. He shows us the famous clock tower in the Piazza San Marco, a place of bustling trade and civic ritual. But it is more than just a pretty picture. Guardi was working in a Republic that, by this time, was past its prime. For centuries, Venice had dominated trade between East and West. Guardi’s delicate, evocative lines hint at the city's glorious past, but also at its uncertain future. Notice how he uses light and shadow to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. To understand Guardi's Venice, we need to delve into its history. By looking at archival documents, economic records, and accounts from the time, we can see how the city's political and economic fortunes were intertwined with its art. Guardi gives us not just a picture of a place, but a glimpse into a world on the cusp of change.