Santa Maria della Salute, Venice

The elegant church of Santa Maria della Salute, with its distinctive scroll-shaped dome buttresses, stands at the eastern entrance of the Grand Canal and is the masterpiece of its architect, Baldassare Longhena. It was begun in 1631 but not completed until 1687, after the architect’s death. This is a characteristic mature work by Guardi, whose atmospheric views of Venice populated by lively figures contrast with the crystalline clarity of Canaletto’s cityscapes.