(Verona 1788–1847 Florence)
Théâtre de l’Ambigu-Comique on the Boulevard Saint-Martin in Paris, signed, dated Canella 1831, oil on panel 22.2 x 30 cm, framed, (GG)

Provenance:
Private Collection, Italy.

Giuseppe Canella settled in France in 1823 to 1833.
He was best known as a painter of vedute depicting cityscapes and animated street scenes incorporating topographical elements.
The present painting depicts the Boulevard Saint-Martin with the Théâtre de l’Ambigu-Comique in the background. The Théâtre was founded in 1769 on the Boulevard du Temple. It burnt down in 1827. It was then reopened the following year on the Boulevard Saint-Martin. It was eventually demolished in 1966. His repertoire proposed spectacles such as vaudeville, dramas and melodramas.

The present work completed in 1831 shows a bustling boulevard in Paris with people walking in the late afternoon. As devoted observer, Canella has placed himself on the Boulevard. Women are smartly dressed with long colored dresses and men with top hats. Various figures traverse the busy street.

During his long stay in Paris Canella created some exquisite cityscapes paintings such as the work presented here.
In 1833 he returned to Italy to become Professor at the Academy of Venice.