Venice historical regatta

During the Thirties, de Chirico exhibited a number of works with the title of Venice, of which, however, little remains. The scene in this view taken from the Bilotti gift shows a precise event: the historical regatta which took place on the feast day of the Redemptor, gathered opposite the Ducal Palace, with ten barques decorated with varying degrees of opulence, followed by gondolas and smaller boats. The composition is typical of Venetian cityscape painting, particularly that of Guardi and Canaletto, indeed it is likely that this view of the historic regatta at Venice was inspired by two large canvases by the latter.