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Artist: Carlevarijs, Luca 1 of 1
 
The Molo in Venice, Looking Toward the Riva degli Schiavoni

The Molo in Venice, Looking Toward the Riva degli Schiavoni, c. 1715

Luca Carlevarijs
Italian, 1663-1730
Oil on canvas
33-5/8 x 64-1/2 in. (85.4 x 163.8 cm)
The Norton Simon Foundation
F.1973.31.P
© The Norton Simon Foundation

On view

A native of Udine in northeastern Italy, Luca Carlevarijs moved to Venice as a youth and became the most important painter of the Venetian vedute, or view painting, in the generation before Canaletto. His encyclopedic publication of 103 prints in 1705, representing novel views of Venice and its architecture, influenced the city’s view painters for the remainder of the century.

Here, the vista opens onto the Molo—the quayside of the Piazzetta San Marco. The sharp recession of the Doge’s Palace at left leads the eye eastward on the broad promenade of the Riva degli Schiavoni, an immediately recognizable area of the city. Carlevarijs accomplished more than a visual record of this important waterfront; he captured its flavor and vitality. Judging from the shadows in the foreground, it is late afternoon and the area is populated by Venetians of every class going about their business. Because the viewpoint is situated close to the ground, the spectator can imagine themselves as part of the city rather than simply observing it.

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Artist: Carlevarijs, Luca 1 of 1