Enneking had his first important exibition of paintings upon his return from Europe in 1878. This exhibition, where Venice at Midday was most likely exhibited, was held at William & Everett's galleries and sold at auction in May of that year. According to Patricia Pierce, "Venice seemed to have had a powerful influence over the man who had wandered from the newly-settled prairies of Ohio...The poetic elements of his nature had never found a more congenial theme than Venice." (John Joseph Enneking, Abington, 1972, p. 56)
This painting will be included in Patricia Jobe Pierce's forthcoming catalogue raisonné of the artist's work.