PIAZZA SAN MARCO’s view, FRANCESCO GUARDI, 1770
To me this picture represents the most beautiful square in the world, filled with cultural
influences, flourishing trade exchanges and in the background St Mark's bell tower, affectionately
called by Venetians “El Paron” (the Master) which served as the city's clock.
If you look closely, below the bell tower, you will notice a large tent whose aim was to protect
merchants and traders from the sun, from which comes the expression in Venetian dialect
“andiamo a bere un'ombra” (Let's go and drink a shade).
While Canaletto's approach can be described as rational, objective, enlightened,
Guardi's vision is more poetic, evocative, and a precursor of the Romantic movement;
