View of the Canal Grande and Rialto-bridge in Venice

View of the Canal Grande and Rialto Bridge in Venice from 1827 was painted during Bonington's Italian journey, which profoundly expanded his palette and subject matter. Bonington visited Venice with his friend Delacroix, and his luminous Venetian views influenced both French and English approaches to painting the city. Characteristic of the artist's mature approach, the work displays luminous, atmospheric color applied with the freshness of watercolor in oil painting, alla prima technique that captured the transience of light on water and architecture.

The shimmering Venetian light is captured with brilliant color and fluid brushwork, the reflections on the canal rendered with the spontaneous touch that made Bonington's technique revolutionary for his era.