The Piazza San Marco

1874

Rudolf von Alt

Associated Names
Rudolf von Alt

Artist, Austrian, 1812 - 1905

The image depicts a busy square in Venice. The view is from a slightly elevated perspective, showing monumental architecture dominating the scene. On the left is an ornate building with columns and carvings. In the center is a tall structure with red and earthy tones, with decorative reliefs at the base. To the right, there are classical buildings with arches and columns. The color palette includes warm browns and creams for the buildings and a vibrant azure sky. People in period attire, some with dogs, are walking around the square. Pigeons are on the ground. The brushwork is detailed, showing the intricate designs of the architecture and costumes. A red flag flutters on the right side.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    watercolor over black chalk on thick wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Joan and David Maxwell

  • Dimensions

    overall: 34.7 × 49.5 cm (13 11/16 × 19 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2003.34.1


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Moritz von Kuffner [1854-1939], Vienna; by descent; (Artemis Fine Arts, Inc., New York); purchased 2003 by NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2004

  • Six Centuries of Prints and Drawings: Recent Acquisitions, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 2004 - 2005

2014

  • The Poetry of Light - La poesia della luce: Venetian Drawings from the National Gallery of Art, Museo Correr, Venice, Venice, 2014 - 2015, no. 132.

Bibliography

2003

  • Robison, Andrew. "The Piazza San Marco." In National Gallery of Art Bulletin. Fall 2003.

Inscriptions

signed in pen an brown ink "R Alt Venedig Oct 874"; by the artist, upper center verso in graphite: Eigenthum des Herrn von Kuffner / Rudolph von Alt

Wikidata ID

Q64630017

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