Entrance to the Grand Canal from the Molo, Venice

Sunlight floods the mouth of the Grand Canal as gondolas and sailing craft gather off the Piazzetta, the domes of Santa Maria della Salute rising across the water and the Doge’s Palace catching the afternoon light. Canaletto painted this wide view of Venice about 1742-1744, probably for the earls of Carlisle at Castle Howard, and it shows his famous balance of topographical clarity and sparkling air: the water rippling with light, the façades precise yet softened, boats and figures alive along the quay. It entered the National Gallery of Art as the gift of Mrs. Barbara Hutton. The painting is held in the National Gallery of Art, Washington.