DISCOVERART

Canaletto

Landscape with Tower and Two Ruined Pillars, from Vedute

1735/44
Etching in black on ivory laid paper
14.2 × 20.9 cm (5.6 × 8.2 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Curiously, Canaletto never printed either of these energetic capriccio landscapes (depictions of fantastic architecture or ruins) individually. Instead, they exist only as a pair on a single sheet (for the left half, see 1922.1381.13). While both images include fictional antiquarian architectural elements, it is not known why the artist combined them. Perhaps it was their mirrored compositions: when placed side by side, both images slope inward toward a church that straddles the margin between the plates and connects the two scenes.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Canaletto

Imaginary View with a Tomb by the LagoonImaginary View with a Tomb by the LagoonA Lock, a Column, and a Church beside a LagoonA Lock, a Column, and a Church beside a LagoonPiazza San MarcoPiazza San MarcoCampo Santa Maria Zobenigo, VeniceCampo Santa Maria Zobenigo, VeniceThe Grand Canal, Venice, Looking Southeast, with the Campo della Carità to the RightThe Grand Canal, Venice, Looking Southeast, with the Campo dWarwick CastleWarwick CastleCampo Sant'Angelo, VeniceCampo Sant'Angelo, VeniceGrand Canal: San Geremia and the Entrance to the CannaregioGrand Canal: San Geremia and the Entrance to the Cannaregio

More like this

Views: Two Ruined PillarsAntonio Canaletto (Italian, 1697–1768) — Views: Two Ruined Plate 2 for "Treatise on Etching"Maxime-François-Antoine Lalanne|Auguste Delâtre — Plate 2 foVue des restes d'un théâtre from Differentes vues dessiné d'après nature... dans les environs de Rome et de NaplesAdélaide Allou|Hubert Robert|Jean Honoré Fragonard|Pierre FrLa Vieille Femme AssiseJean Morin|Cornelis van Poelenburch — La Vieille Femme AssisLandscape with RuinsCharles Louis Clérisseau|Joseph Wagner — Landscape with RuinAntique Ruins of an AmphitheaterHerman van Swanevelt — Antique Ruins of an AmphitheaterRegretsPierre Antoine Mongin — RegretsLandscape with Hunters and Hay-Carts, from Six LandscapesJan van de Velde, II — Landscape with Hunters and Hay-Carts,Wood Gatherer with a Boy, plate two from Die zwei grossen Landschaften mit den BetsäulenJohann Christoph Erhard — Wood Gatherer with a Boy, plate twHeroic Landscape: The Shepherd's Dance on the BridgeJohann Christian Reinhart (German, 1761–1847) — Heroic LandsThe ‘Spaernwouder’ or ‘Amsterdamsche Poort’ at Haarlem, from Six LandscapesJan van de Velde, II — The ‘Spaernwouder’ or ‘Amsterdamsche The Sower, from Verscheyden Landtschapjes (Various Little Landscapes), Plate 5Claes Jansz. Visscher|Willem Pietersz. Buytewech — The Sower