The Bucintoro at the Molo

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.