Michele Marieschi

Michele Marieschi painted views of Venice and imaginary architectural scenes, with a lively, fresh touch and a wide, sweeping perspective. His Grand Canal views often seem to take in more than the eye could see from one spot, a trick he likely learned as a stage designer.

He was born in Venice and may have trained with Gaspare Diziani or Canaletto. He is believed to have worked in Germany as a theatre designer before returning to Venice by 1731. His painting is looser and brighter than Canaletto’s, with flickering figures and luminous skies. In 1741 and 1742 he published a set of 21 etchings of Venice, Magnificentiores Selectioresque Urbis Venetiarum Prospectus, which spread his views widely. He died young, in January 1744.

The Grand Canal with Santa Maria della Salute and his capriccio with a Gothic building show both sides of his work: the real city and the imagined one.