Entrance to the Grand Canal from the Molo, Venice

Entrance to the Grand Canal from the Molo, Venice by Canaletto is a 1744 oil on canvas painting that gives the illusion of a high viewpoint, of a person looking out of a window or high ground. Canaletto brought out a view of Venice flocked by tourists.

This painting portrays a high degree of detail with smooth transitions and colour, making it appear realistic. In this painting, it is a morning full of activity near St. Mark's Square. Along the landing dock washed by sunlight in the fair-weather are people lazing around as a fisherman shows off his catch. Canaletto's works detail his Venice native city, focusing on the time and place when events took place in the eighteenth century. View of the Grand Canal is a 1931 oil on canvas artwork that portrays an ever-changing face of Venice. Canaletto introduces a fresh approach to the many different paintings done before his. He is famous for having created over a hundred paintings of the Grand Canal. In this artwork is a pictorial exploration of light that sweeps through the water to the buildings.

The sunny morning depicts locals going about their businesses in the canoes. On the left is a tall building, the Palazzo Vendramin-Calergi that dominates in the image, alongside a Venetian devotional box, which is seen hanging below the arched windows. In the 18th and 19th century, these boxes were placed on buildings by the canal to allow people to pause and pray. The Upper Reaches of the Grand Canal is the other oil in canvas, 1740 painting. It depicts a sweeping view with a helmsman standing in a passenger badge on the left. At the centre are fishermen going about their fishing activities while one of the boats carrying two women is about to collide with another. On the left side past the canal is the green copper dome church of San Simeone Piccolo. Canaletto is careful to paint crisp details coupled with creative light effects and an outstanding reflection on the water.

A Regatta on the Grand Canal is the other Canaletto's artwork, an oil on canvas painting completed in 1740. It captures one of the most popular annual festivals in Venice, the Gondola race. In the 18th century, the race was held every year on the second of February, an event that celebrates the history of the Venetian republic. On the balconies and the boats are spectators seen to enjoy the event. The other side of the canal is the dome and tower of San Bartolomeo sitting on the skyline. Canaletto borrowed his composition from Luca Carlevarijs' 1709 painting but reduced the distance to bring out a more dramatic race. This painting was designed for wealthy tourists as a reminder of the beauty and unique state of Venice. Canaletto's Entrance to the Grand Canal from the Molo, Venice alongside other works are highly regarded for their realistic nature and the carefully conceived effects. All his works are impressive, especially for their control of light and incidental details.