(Venice 1824–1890)
The Doge’s Palace, the Piazzetta and the Biblioteca in Venice, with Santa Maria della Salute beyond,
signed and dated 1865 lower left,
oil on canvas, 64 x 93 cm, framed

Provenance:
Private European collection, since the 19th Century;
where acquired by the present owner

The present composition depicts one of the most celebrated views of Venice: seen on the right are the Ponte della Paglia as it appeared following its alteration in width in 1843 and beyond, the gothic façade of the Palazzo Ducale. On the left in the distance across the Bacino di San Marco and the entrance to the Grand Canal with the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute.

A later, similar composition by Luigi Quarena is signed and dated 1882; (see D. Succi, Luigi Querena, in: D. Dotti (ed.), Lo splendore di Venezia. Canaletto, Bellotto, Guardi e i vedutisti dell’Ottocento, exhibition catalogue, Brescia 2016, pp. 170-171).

The son of Latterzio Quarena, a painter of history and religious subjects, Luigi studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti as early as 1836. He was influenced by the Venetian vedute or view painting tradition of the previous century. In his traditionally conceived view psintings Quarena described episodes from of contemporary life and the history of the city. Indeed, his involvement in the 1848 up-risings resulted in a series of eleven tempera paintings conserved in the Museo Correr, Venice. In 1857, he was elected an honorary member of the Accademia di Belle Arti and he participated in the exhibitions organised by the arts societies in Italian cities.