

The Antechamber of the Sala del Maggior Consiglio, ca. 1765
Francesco Guardi (Italian, 1712–1793)
Oil on canvas
Francesco Guardi (Italian, 1712–1793)
Oil on canvas
13 3/8 x 20 in. (34 x 50.8 cm)
Bequest of Lore Heinemann, in memory of her husband, Dr. Rudolf J. Heinemann, 1996 (1997.117.4)
This unusual view by Guardi offers a description of Venetian public life. The setting is the Liagò, anteroom to the great council chamber in Palazzo Ducale, the seat of government of the Venetian Republic. The space has been telescoped but otherwise is shown accurately; the long hallway with a beamed ceiling and stone doorframes still can be visited. The bright light and the measured dignity of the presentation are appropriate to the formal subject.







