The Torre dell' Orologio, Venice
Francesco Guardi·c. 1753
Historical Context
The Torre dell'Orologio, Venice, painted around 1753 and now in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, depicts the famous clock tower that marks the entrance from the Piazza San Marco to the Merceria shopping street. The tower, built in the late 1490s, features an astronomical clock, a Madonna and Child, and the famous Moors — two bronze figures that strike the hours. Guardi renders the elaborate tower with atmospheric sensitivity, capturing the play of light across its multiple tiers. The Gardner Museum houses this painting in the context of Isabella Stewart Gardner's extraordinary collection, arranged in a Venetian palazzo-style building that evokes the artistic culture from which Guardi's work emerged.
Technical Analysis
The painting showcases Francesco Guardi's spontaneous handling, with atmospheric light effects lending the work its distinctive character. The palette and brushwork are calibrated to serve the subject matter, demonstrating the technical command expected of a work from this period.
Look Closer
- ◆Look for the Torre dell'Orologio with its astronomical clock and the famous bronze Moors — this landmark marks the entrance from the Piazza into the Merceria shopping street.
