(Hamburg 1820–1882 Munich)
Venice, a View of the Bacino di San Marco from Riva degli Schiavoni, with Palazzo Ducale on the Right, Santa Maria della Salute in the Background, signed, dated L. Mecklenburg München 1849, oil on canvas, 99 x 140 cm, framed

Provenance:
Private European Collection

Painted in 1849, this panoramic view depicts the warmth of a setting sun over the Bacino di San Marco, achieved through the use of a golden palette. It is painted from the Riva degli Schiavoni with the Palazzo Ducale on the right, Santa Maria della Salute is visible in the distance. Mecklenburg produced many versions of this composition, indicating that it was probably his most popular painting of Venice. Not only did he manage to capture the balmy light of a sunset in Venice exquisitely, but he also recreated the everyday life of the local people, depicted strolling on the Riva.

Louis Mecklenburg took lessons with the landscape painter Johann Joachim Faber (1778-1846) in Hamburg. He then made a life-changing move to Italy, working in several cities such as Venice and Verona. However, it was La Serenissima which became his preferred subject, producing an array of deeply romantic and atmospheric vedute of the city, including nocturnal views.