Jacques Chereau.

Vue general de la Ville de Venise, prise de l'entrée du cote du grand canal.

15.5 x 10.5 inches

An etching in original hand colour published by J. Chereau in Paris circa 1750.

There was a fascination throughout Europe in the middle of the C18th for views of towns and cites from both antiquity and the modern era. Venice was beginning to be a popular destination for wealthy travellers at this stage along with other Italian cities such as Florence and Rome. There was an insatiable appetite for both souvenirs and topographical reference and a multitude of publishing firms emerged to meet the demand. One such firm was that of Jacques Chereau (1688-1776) who produced this fascinating and timeless image of the Grand Canal in Venice. Although there may be slightly fewer tourists and an absence of selfie-sticks the view will be very familiar to today's traveller with gondoliers fighting for business along the canal and the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute dominating the scene.

£385