(Verona 1800–1879 Milan)
The Piazetta San Marco in Venice, signed C. Canella, oil on canvas, 77 x 102.5 cm, framed, (GG)

Provenance:
Acquired by the grandfather of the current owner approx. 50 years ago;
thence by descent to present owner;
Italian private collection

The present lot depicts a popular Venetian view looking east from the Piazzetta. The column supporting the ‘Winged Lion of Venice’ is shown on the right of the painting, and the Palazzo Ducale on the left. To the far left we see the Ponte della Paglia which links the Riva degli Schiavoni with the Molo.
Canella’s interest in capturing the life of the city as well as its architecture is demonstrated in the attention paid to the figures. The Piazzetta is populated with lively figures. The artist focuses on the animated atmosphere of the passing crowds enjoying their daily activities. A few vendors have set up stall in the foreground, and numerous figures are walking in the Piazzetta, both alone and in small groups.
He brings to life the hustle and bustle of daily life in Venice with merchants selling their goods. He has painted an image of a busy modern town, its banks filled with gondolas and trade ships.

The present lot demonstrates patriotic imagery, incorporating the three colours of the almost united country.
The green, white and red of the Italian flag are represented by the young boy and a lady on the left, and again in the right foreground.
Prior to unification it was a common stratagem to insert the three colours in Italian paintings, a reflection of the patriotic ideal of this period.

A study of the present composition, measuring 22 x 28 cm, was sold at Sotheby’s in 2001.