Le Doge sur le Bucentaure (The Doge over the Bucentaure), circa 1775-1780

Francesco Guardi (1712-1793) is a Vedute (City Scape) painter, city views of Venice. In the years following the coronation of the Doge Alvise Mocenigo, in 1763, he received an order for a dozen paintings dedicated to this event. This work depicts the Bucentaure, the boat of the Doge, which was accosted close to San Nicolo di Lido, in Venice.
In the foreground, the boats lead the eye up to the Doge's boat, around which a huge crowd clamors. The viewpoint chosen by Guardi allows him to demonstrate the affluence both on dry ground, and at sea, and highlights the close ties between Venice and sailing.
The brush strokes of Guardi are forceful, making the paint vibrate. In this avantgarde impressionism, the intensity of colors and the multitude of details combine, creating a scintillating, buzzing scene.