View of the Grand Canal of Venice

Around 1913, during one of his numerous journeys to Italy, the Lima intellectual, Javier Prado acquired this fine view of the Grand Canal from the Peruvian artist Federico del Campo. This city was a principal subject for the artist, who enjoyed the favor of North American and European collectors. However, little was known of his work in Peru, his country of origin. Prado must have appreciated the notable virtuosity of the canvas that brings together the tradition of the Italian “vedutisti” with the painting “al fresco” begun by the Impressionists. At the same time, the acquisition probably inspired him to fill a significant gap in his collection, which in turn inspired him to establish a panoramic survey of Peruvian art from the pre-Colombian epoch up to the present. When the Prado family donated this collection to the Museo de Arte de Lima, this canvas was, of course, the only one of its kind then existing in a local institution. (RK)