Venice: the Riva degli Schiavoni

The promenade or Riva degli Schiavoni depicts a view still familiar today, with its gondolas bobbing on the water before the Doge’s Palace, one of the best-known buildings in Venice, on the left. The columns of San Todaro and of the Lion of Saint Mark stand on the Piazzetta in front of the Palace, with the Ponte della Paglia and the Prison beyond. This view, along with its pendant (P516), were very popular with Canaletto’s patrons: they were engraved in 1742 by Visentini, and at least five other sets are known.