Gondolas Before a Palace on the Grand Canal in Venice

Hercules Brabazon Brabazon

Associated Names
Hercules Brabazon Brabazon

Artist, British, 1821 - 1906

The image shows a grand building that dominates the scene, taking up much of the composition. The horizon line is blurred into the water with reflections from the architecture and boats. Gondolas or similar boats are observed on the reflective surface, with gentle strokes indicating movement. The technique features loose and expressive brushstrokes that suggest forms. The color palette includes soft tones of beige, muted oranges, and hints of blue for the building and sky, and darker and warmer tones for the boats and reflections. The overall effect is impressionistic, capturing the essence of the scene with minimal detail but a strong visual impact.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    watercolor and gouache on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Joseph F. McCrindle Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 17.4 x 24.3 cm (6 7/8 x 9 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2009.70.52


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Walker's Galleries, London, 1960). Joseph F. McCrindle [1923-2008], New York; Joseph F. McCrindle Foundation, 2008; gift to NGA, 2009.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

-1

  • Exhibition of Water Colours & Pastels by the late Hercules Brabazon Brabazon, unknown date and venue, no. A244.

1985

  • Hercules Brabazon Brabazon (1821-1906), Godwin-Ternbach Museum, Queens College, New York, 1985, 7, 9, 33, no. 13 (Hilarie Faberman).

2012

  • The McCrindle Gift: A Distinguished Collection of Drawings and Watercolors. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2012, 134-135, no. 57 (entry by Lars Kokkonen).

Inscriptions

by unknown hand, lower left verso in graphite: Grand Canal, Venice.

Wikidata ID

Q64574121

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