Canal

This painting shows a small canal in shade, featuring the dramatic perspective which the artist enjoyed, leading to a striped pole, and the sunlit corner of a building beyond. Swanzy had visited Italy in 1914, and may have travelled to Venice then, or on subsequent journeys to the Mediterranean. The inspiration for this picture seems to be a memory of Venice, although the palette, of maroons, viridians and violets is unexpected. Low, decorated doorways are visible above the water and although there are no actual figures present, there is a curious animate or anthropological quality to the picture; the plaster walls above the canal seem to be covered with mysterious drawings or relief carvings of human and animal forms, like cave paintings or old frescoes. Or as if there is another realm beneath the surface, where transparent dancing figures and horsemen are about to emerge from the pink plaster walls and swirling green waters. The present work may date to the 1950s or 1960s.
J.C.