GUARDI, Francesco
(b. 1712, Venezia, d. 1793, Venezia)

The Three-Arched Bridge at Cannaregio

1765-70
Oil on canvas
National Gallery of Art, Washington

Guardi did not always choose the most famous spots or buildings in Venice. Indeed, he often opted for less fashionable views depicting the houses that ordinary people lived in. This canvas has made an otherwise anonymous bridge famous. There is not an important public building in sight in this impoverished quarter.