Views: The Canal Lock at Dolo

Antonio Canaletto took up etching as an extension of his painting practice, which consisted of representing topographical views of Venice for wealthy patrons. This print belongs to a series he made of rural scenery outside the city—here, the village of Dolo and its canal. Etching provided the artist with a means of formal experimentation, and he became a master of describing Venice’s distinctive buildings and the reflections and shadows from its many canals. Prints also provided the artist with a steady income; this series was likely marketed to affluent British tourists as a souvenir.

A horizontally oriented etching in black ink on off-white paper depicts a bustling stone canal lock. In the foreground, people gather on a paved area, including two women in long dresses at the center. A tall building stands on the left near a stone archway. To the right, multi-story houses with shutters line the water. Figures stand along the lock's edge, fine cross-hatching creating deep shadows against the stone walls.

Views: The Canal Lock at Dolo

1735–46

Antonio Canaletto

(Italian, 1697–1768)

Italy, Venice

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