Canaletto the greatest Italian Rococo Painter

Canaletto

also known as Giovanni Antonio Canal

1697-1768

Italian Rococo Painter

Artistically and stylistically influenced by the following painters; Titian, Gian Paolo Panini, Jacopo Tintoretto and Sandro Botticelli

Education -worked and in his fathers studio, Bernardo Canal and later studied under Gentile Bellini and Giovanni Bellini

Cause of Death - stroke

technique - oil on linen or oak panel

Despite Canaletto's considerable knowledge of and borrowings from old masters, he remained in the last analysis a Rocco painter through and through. His diaphanous golden lighting of Italian landscapes carries the assurance of an artist saturated with the Mediterranean tradition. His dramatic, velvety application of paint and skillful depiction of nature have a freshness and liveliness unequaled in the work of any of his contemporaries. Canaletto lived during exciting and restless times. The world was in transition. Europeans were changing with the development of an intellectual movement called "The Enlightenment". Writers and artists grew uneasy at the all-pervading censorship by the monarchy and church. People were becoming resentful over paying taxes to support a wealthy, absolutely useless aristocracy.

People were becoming fascinated with science, art and new philosophies. The power of the clergy and landed gentry began to gradually weaken. Italy in Canaletto's time was relatively free of strife. He opposed tyranny and dogma, devoting his life to capturing the noble beauty of Venice. He loved painting in the early morning hours, capturing the old world splendor of cathedrals and weather beaten palaces. Canaletto is most remembered for his gift at depicting glowing light spreading over water.

About the Rocco Movement

'The Art of the Aristocracy'

The word is derived from "rocaille" (pebble), but the term referred in particular to the small stones and shells used to adorn the interiors of grottoes. Such shells or shell forms were the primary motifs in Rococo ornament.

The Rococo style began as a backlash against Baroque formality and stuffiness. Unlike Baroque, Rococo is not concerned with religious matters or dramatic expression. The highly decorative art and design movement began in Paris, France in the early 1700s and is sometimes called the style of Louis XV (15th) . The style is profoundly symbolic of the self-indulgence of European aristocratic rulers. Rocco manner is characterized by graceful, enchanting, lighthearted themes and seldom features anything of substance. Sentiment was expressed over reason and emotionalism was expressed over intellect. Paintings are animated and clever, reflecting an impishly sensual daydream.

Rococo Landscape Painting

Rocco artists used their art to represent their love and bond with nature. Their painting techniques generally pastels that do not provide contrast within the painting, but are rather blended and create a delicate composition. The painter’s brush strokes do not create precise lines, but are vague and provide a “softened” perception.

Rococo Portraiture

Rocco paintings feature beautiful aristocrats decked out in velvet, elegant laces and rich golden embroideries. The figures are tall and willowy, stylish and charming. The faces are presented as soft and rosy, effeminate and eternally young. Noblemen are depicted wearing feminine coiffeurs, rouged lips and cheeks, often sporting high heels. In a way they resemble modern day drag queens. The Rocco female figures are delicate and light; the faces, are childish and sentimental. The lines of the mouth curve in soft mischief or in a delicate enchanting smile.

Characteristic of Rococo art was paintings of carefree aristocrats at play in make-believe settings. These romantic scenes depict luxuriously costumed ladies and gentlemen flirting, picnicking and playing music at gallant country parties. The background scenery is often a serene natural setting with delicate trees and sprays of roses. Colors are a profusion of soothing, light pastels. The Rococo movement was initially restricted to France, later spreading to all of Europe and above all to Germany. The movement continued to develop until the arrival of Neoclassicism which attempted to return to the purism of classical antiquity.

Principle Artists of the Rococo Period

Pompeo Batoni Italian,1708-1787
Bernardo Bellotto Italian,1720-1780
Francois Boucher French, 1703-1770
Canaletto Italian, 1697-1768
Jean-Baptiste Simeon Chardin French, 1699-1779
Jean-Honoré Fragonard French, 1732-1806
Thomas Gainsborough English, 1727-1823
Francisco de Goya Spanish, 1746-1828
Thomas Hudson English,1701-1779
Jean-Marc Nattier French, 1685-1766
Joshua Reynolds English, 1723-1792
Paul Sandby English, 1730-1809
Jean Antoine Watteau French, 1684-1721

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