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Francesco Guardi (1712–1793) is regarded as one of the leading Venetian painters of the 18th century, celebrated for his evocative and luminous cityscapes of Venice. Born in Venice in 1712, he was the youngest of a family of painters and trained in the workshop of his father and older brother, initially absorbing the decorative and architectural traditions of Venetian painting before developing a personal style marked by fluid brushwork and atmospheric effect. Guardi’s work captures the daily life, architecture and canals of Venice with a delicate balance of realism and poetic interpretation, offering an intimate view of the city at the height of its cultural vibrancy.

Unlike his contemporary Canaletto, whose vedute are noted for precise draughtsmanship, Guardi’s approach was more impressionistic, favouring a softer palette and a painterly touch that imbued scenes with movement and mood. His cityscapes — ranging from bustling squares to quiet canals — combine topographical accuracy with a sense of fleeting light and weather, creating images that are both documentary and evocative. Guardi’s compositions often include figures and festivities, lending a narrative quality to his depictions of Venice’s public and social life.

Guardi remained active in Venice throughout his career, producing works for collectors, palaces and institutions across Europe. Though he received commissions from patrons in England, Austria and Russia, his paintings were most celebrated for their distinctly Venetian atmosphere and intimate charm. Today, Guardi’s vedute are prized for their combination of technical skill, expressive brushwork and historical insight, offering both aesthetic pleasure and a window into 18th-century Venice.

In the auction market, Guardi’s works — particularly his cityscapes and carnival scenes — remain highly sought after, valued for their luminous brushwork and the poetic interpretation of Venice that defines his oeuvre.