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View of the Porta and Campo dell’Arsenale

Francesco Albotto1742/1750

Fondazione Cariplo

Fondazione Cariplo
Milan, Italy

This small canvas was attributed to Canaletto when it was in the Marcenaro Collection, while the verifications carried out following its purchase by Cariplo led Federico Zeri to indicate the Venetian Michele Marieschi as the artist. In actual fact, there are marked similarities between this painting and the Venetian’s production; more specifically, there exists a larger view of Campo dell’Arsenale (private collection), which is virtually identical except for the arrangement of the small figures and the scaffolding on the roof of the Arsenale on the far left of the painting, which is absent from the version owned by the Cariplo Foundation. Marieschi also did an engraving of this same subject in 1741. However, if we take a closer look at the painting under examination we notice the ordinary workmanship: the artist relies more on draughtsmanship than light to construct the scene, although the view is nicely composed, which makes it pleasing. Therefore the attribution to Francesco Albotto is correct: Albotto was both Marieschi’s pupil and heir, having married his widow after the master’s death in 1743. In effect, there is no divergence in their styles, and it may be said that Albotto continued to reproduce the same models and subjects as his master, though his production was less inspired and original. The work may have been executed after Marieschi’s death, and was certainly made after 1741, when, as we have said, Campo dell’Arsenale was published as part of a collection of engravings.

Details

  • Title: View of the Porta and Campo dell’Arsenale
  • Creator: Francesco Albotto
  • Creator Lifespan: 1742/1750
  • Creator Nationality: Italian
  • Creator Gender: Male
  • Creator Death Place: Venezia
  • Creator Birth Place: Venezia
  • Date: 1742/1750
  • Provenance: Caterina Marcenaro Bequest, Cariplo Foundation, 1976
  • Physical Dimensions: w59 x h44 cm (Without frame)
  • Exhibition: Palazzo Melzi d'Eril, via Manin, 23, Milano
  • Type: Painting, oil on canvas
  • Rights: http://www.artgate-cariplo.it/en/disclaimer.html
  • External Link: www.artgate-cariplo.it

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