A pair of capricci: The Venetian lagoon with ruins and figures

After the death of his father Francesco, in 1793, Giacomo Guardi abandoned painting to devote himself exclusively to drawing (A. Morassi, Guardi. Antonio e Francesco Guardi, Venice, 1975, I, p. 290). These imaginary depictions of the lagoon with antique ruins show the artist’s mastery of the pen and wash technique.