Santa Maria della Salute
The Met
Artist: Francesco Guardi(Italian, Venice 1712–1793 Venice)
Date: mid- to late 1760s
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 21 x 33 3/4 in. (53.3 x 85.7 cm)
Credit Line: Purchase, 1871
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
A large domed church, numerous boats, and buildings along a waterfront under a cloudy sky
Detailed Description
A wide waterfront scene unfolds under a cloudy sky. The upper third features a light blue sky with large, billowy white and gray clouds, which are particularly dense and dark on the right side. Below the sky, a continuous line of buildings stretches across the horizon. On the far left, a tall, dark-masted sailboat with furled sails is moored near a low, dark brown wall. Behind this wall are multi-story buildings with small, dark windows. The central and most prominent structure is a large, ornate church with a grand central dome topped by a lantern, flanked by two smaller domes behind it. The church's facade is highly detailed with columns, arches, and statues, rendered in light gray and white tones, contrasting with the darker surrounding buildings. Steps lead down from the church's base to the water's edge. To the right of the church, more multi-story buildings with red-tiled roofs extend into the distance, gradually becoming smaller. The lower half of the scene is dominated by a wide expanse of calm, dark blue-green water. Numerous boats of various sizes are scattered across the water. In the foreground on the left, a large, dark wooden boat with a small cabin and several figures is moored. In the mid-ground, several gondola-like boats, some with dark canopies, are being rowed by figures. Other smaller boats, each carrying one or two figures, are also present. Small figures are visible on the boats and along the waterfront, some standing, some seated. The overall color palette is muted, with dominant blues, grays, and browns, highlighted by the lighter tones of the church.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
