The Bucintoro at the Molo
by Canaletto, 1732
StyleVenetian School
Artwork Details
Details
- Year
- 1732
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Size
- 182 cm × 259 cm
Cite or Embed This Work
APA · MLA · Chicago1-click academic citation and embeddable “On View” museum badge for articles, syllabi, and research.
Working in oil on canvas, Canaletto painted this view of Venice's state barge returning from its most important annual ceremony in 1760. The Bucintoro, a gilded vessel carrying the Doge and Senate, has just returned from the Sposalizio del Mare, where the Doge cast a gold ring into the Adriatic to symbolize Venice's marriage to the sea.
The Bucintoro shown here was built in 1728 and would be destroyed when Napoleon conquered Venice in 1797. Canaletto captured its elaborate gold decorations and the crowds gathered at the Molo to welcome it home. The scene takes place on Ascension Day, one of Venice's grandest celebrations.
Canaletto signed and dated this work on the back, an unusual practice for him. It now hangs at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London, one of several versions he made of this popular subject throughout his career.
More by Canaletto
View all →T
The Piazzetta towards San Giorgio Maggiore
Canaletto
Royal Collection, London
S
Santi Giovanni e Paolo and the Scuola de San Marco
Canaletto
Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Dresden, Dresden
G
Grand Canal: Looking from Palazzo Balbi
Canaletto
Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden, Dresden
T
The Grand Canal near San Maria della Carità
Canaletto
Private Collection, Unknown
Also at Dulwich Picture Gallery
View all →
Related Works
Works that share an artist, movement, museum, genre, palette or theme with The Bucintoro at the Molo.
- Same artist
- Same movement
The Grand Canal and the Church of the Salute
Canaletto, 1730
- Same artist
- Same movement
The Grand Canal near the Ponte del Rialto
Canaletto
- Same artist
- Same movement
Grand Canel the Rialto Bridge from the North
Canaletto
- Same movement
Fisherman Presenting the Ring to the Doge
Paris Bordone, 1535
- Same movement
The Raising of Lazarus
Sebastiano del Piombo, 1519
- Same movement
A Blonde Woman
Palma Vecchio
- Same movement
The Holy Family with St. Catherine, St. Sebastian and a Donor
Sebastiano del Piombo
- Same movement
Sacred conversation
Sebastiano del Piombo
- Same movement
Judith with the Head of Holofernes
Palma Vecchio
- Same movement
La Bella
Palma Vecchio
- Same movement
Madonna and Child with Saints
Jacopo Bassano
- Same movement
The Adoration of the Kings
Jacopo Bassano
About The Bucintoro at the Molo
It's at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London. Canaletto painted several versions of this scene; an earlier, larger version exists in a private collection.
It was Venice's state barge, used to carry the Doge for the annual Marriage of the Sea ceremony. The vessel shown here was built in 1728 and destroyed by Napoleon in 1797.
The Sposalizio del Mare (Marriage of the Sea), held on Ascension Day. The Doge sailed into the Adriatic and dropped a gold ring into the water to symbolize Venice's dominion over the sea.
Own Art Like This
Luxury wall art with the same mood and energy. Gallery-quality canvas, no museum crowds.
Browse Collection