The Bucintoro at the Molo on Ascension Day by Canaletto

This grandiose painting stands at the pinnacle of the eighteenth-century vedutismo movement, celebrating the festive splendor of the lagoon city. Through this masterpiece of extraordinary richness bearing the provisional title of “The Bucintoro at the Molo on Ascension Day”, the prodigy painter Canaletto immortalizes the departure of the dogal galley for the Feast of the Sensa. The work celebrates the ceremonial magnificence and maritime triumph of Venice to fascinate European courts.

The sumptuous dogal vessel, entirely covered in glittering gilding and flying immense red banners, is moored proudly along the stone quay. The large basin of the Saint Mark's lagoon is crowded with a myriad of dark gondolas and decorated festive boats crossing each other actively. On the left side, the pink and white gothic facade of the Doge's Palace and the very tall campanile rise toward a brilliant blue sky. Hundreds of tiny silhouettes in ceremonial attire busy themselves on the wooden pontoons or watch the procession. The brilliant, dazzling sunlight makes the gold glitter and colors the water.

Canaletto deploys an outstanding talent for orchestrating this monumental scene and rendering the precious details of official vessels. His incomparable oil painting technique lends an extraordinary brilliance to the precious metals and aquatic reflections. It is a triumph of landscape painting.