San Giorgio Maggiore from the Bacino di San Marco
Painting on canvas • Francesco Guardi (1712–1793)
Style & Movement
Venetian Vedutismo (Rococo)
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, employing 'pittura di tocco' (painting of touch) characterized by rapid, atmospheric brushstrokes and macchiette (small, sketchy figures).
Creation Period
Late 18th century, circa 1770-1780
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 35 x 45 cm; landscape orientation
Subject Description
A panoramic view of the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice. The composition features Palladio's church and campanile, with various gondolas and sailing vessels in the foreground water (Bacino di San Marco). The scene captures the airy, luminous atmosphere of the Venetian lagoon.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent/Very Good; the painting appears well-maintained within the Nemours Estate collection.
Estimated Market Value
$150,000 - $350,000
Auction Estimate
$200,000 - $300,000
Provenance History
Formerly in the collection of Alfred I. du Pont (1864–1935); currently part of the permanent collection of the Nemours Estate, Wilmington, Delaware. A small brass identification plate on the frame confirms the artist's name.
Art Historical Significance
Francesco Guardi was a master of the Venetian veduta. Unlike Canaletto’s precise topography, Guardi’s work is prized for its expressionistic, flickering light and atmospheric quality, bridging the gap between Baroque topographical views and 19th-century Impressionism.
Notable Features
Includes a period-style carved gilt wood frame and an identifying museum-style brass nameplate stating 'FRANCESCO GUARDI 1712-1793'. The painting exhibits the artist's signature shorthand for figures and water ripples.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dirt and aged varnish common for its age; light craquelure stable and consistent with 18th-century canvas. No significant losses or abrasions visible from the primary view.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment with stable humidity (45-55%) and temperature. Use UV-filtered lighting and occasional professional surface cleaning of the varnish if yellowing occurs.
Collector Notes
Painting in Nemours Estate in Delaware