Piazzetta S. Basso, Venice. Plate 13 from: Magnificentiores Selectioresque Urbis Venetiarum Prosp...

Michele Marieschi or Michele Giovanni Marieschi, also known as Michiel (1710-44),was a Venetian painter and engraver. He is mainly known for his landscapes and cityscapes (vedute) or views, mostly of Venice. He also created architectural paintings, which reveal his interest in stage design. A near contemporary of Canaletto, he might have become equally famous were it not for his premature death. Art historian Michael Levey contrasts Marieschi's style with Canaletto's, noting that Marieschi's use of paint is livelier and fresher.

In 1741 Marieschi published a set of 21 large etchings of Venice, under the title of Magnificentiores Selectioresque Urbis Venetiarum Prospectus; the title page featured a portrait of Marieschi by Angelo Trevisani. This is plate 13 from the series and it depicts the very familiar Piazza San Marco, seen from the side of the Basilica and looking towards church of San Geminiano. Te Papa's impression is lighter compared with impressions in the British Museum and Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, suggesting that the plate may have been slightly worn. Therefore this print may be from the later edition published by Wagner in 1768.

See: Wikipedia, 'Michele Marieschi', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_Marieschi

Dr Mark Stocker    Curator, Historical International Art    July 2017