A view of the Rialto Bridge, Venice

Though considered by Antonio Morassi to be by Francesco Guardi (op. cit.), this view of the Rialto Bridge is a characteristic small-scale work by his son, Giacomo, who continued in his father's tradition. Charles Beddington, to whom we are grateful for proposing the attribution (after first-hand inspection), notes that the use of black to articulate the figures and architecture is a hallmark of the Giacomo's technique.

Built by Antonio da Ponte between 1589-91 and standing at the commercial heart of Venice, the Rialto was among the most frequently painted monuments in eighteenth-century view painting; Canaletto, Michele Marieschi and Francesco Guardi all depicted the bridge numerous times from both the west and east. Lined with shops, the bridge stood at the centre of the city's commercial district and joined the markets located on both sides of the Grand Canal. The present view is taken from the east down the Grand Canal and just slightly towards the left bank, giving a wider view of the Riva del Ferro on the right, with the Riva del Vin cast in shadow on the left. To the left of the bridge stands the Palazzo dei Dieci Savi, with the Palazzo dei Camerlenghi just behind; to the right, beyond the bridge, is the Fondaco dei Tedeschi, previously home to Venice’s German merchants and where, famously, Giorgione and Titian executed their murals for the palazzo’s façade.