ANTONIO CANALETTO: "Regatta on the Grand Canal"

[Anatol]

Regattas on the Grand Canal have been and remain traditional entertainment in Venice. Single-oared gondolas participated in such a competition. But it was not just a race, but a real mass celebration. The competitions turned into mass festivities, crowds of people poured into the streets of Venice who wanted to “cheer” for their favorites, and women looked languidly at the gondoliers, admiring their skill and beauty. The gondoliers did not miss the opportunity to flirt with beautiful ladies.
Of course, such a grandiose event could not leave the Venetian artist Canaletto indifferent. His works were often commissioned for aristocrats to commemorate events in the Venetian Republic.
The painting "Regatta on the Grand Canal" was tentatively painted in 1740. On the streets of the city, a real extravaganza is going on. People settled on the embankment, balconies of houses, in boats, wanting to enjoy the race to the fullest. On some of them you can see "bauta" - a Venetian mask, which is a symbol of the traditional carnival. Later, indeed, the traditional regatta on the Grand Canal will become part of the Venetian carnival.
Canaletto chose his favorite angle, which allows you to immerse the viewer in the events on the canvas. We do not see the sun in the sky, but its reflections on the walls of houses herald a bright, sunny day. The whole picture is shrouded in an atmosphere of celebration and celebration, which is easily conveyed by the masterful painting of the Venetian artist.
Guinea-Bissau 2003; 450FCFA. Source: https://paintingplanet.ru/regatta on the Grand Canal antonio-kanaletto/.