Giudecca

John Singer Sargent

1913 (?) · Watercolor and graphite on off-white paper · The American Wing

To the south of Venice, a wide canal separates Giudecca, eight small islands, from the rest of the city. A picturesque charm has long been associated with Giudecca, attracting artists for many centuries—both Francesco Guardi (1712–1793) and Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775–1851) painted views of it. However, their images almost always include recognizable landmarks. In his rendering, Sargent avoids identifiable Venetian monuments in recording the characteristics of a typical neighborhood. The inclusion of sailing vessels invokes the city’s historical importance as an Adriatic port.

Artist

John Singer Sargent

Date

1913 (?)

Medium

Watercolor and graphite on off-white paper

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1915