By Anne Leader
Known as the father of Italian vedute (views), Luca Carlevaris was born in Udine on 20 January 1663. He moved to Venice, the city stimulated his artistry and brought him renown, in 1679 and remained there until his death in 1730. Though now more widely known through his followers Canaletto and Francesco Guardi, vedute, topographical images of towns or landscapes, came to be among the most popular picture type created in 18th-century Venice, especially among English tourists and collectors. His development of the picture type may have been inspired by a trip to Rome in 1698, where he was exposed to souvenir views and capricci (fantasy views) by artists like Gasparo Vanvitelli (Dutch, 1652-1736). He further popularized the genre through the publication of 104 engravings showing views of Venice (Le fabriche e vedute di Venezia disegnate poste in prospettiva et intagliate da Luca Carlevari)
Reference: John Wilson. “Carlevaris, Luca.” Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. Oxford University Press.
Seascape, 1690s. Oil on canvas, Private collection
The Sea Custom House with San Giorgio Maggiore, 1700s, Oil on canvas. Private collection
Plate 14: View of the facade of St. Moses church, Venice, 1703, from the series ‘The buildings and views of Venice’ (Le fabriche e vedute di Venezia), etching. New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Bequest of Phyllis Massar, 2011
Plate 63: View of the gate of the shipyard and armory complex (Arsenale), Venice, 1703, from the series ‘The buildings and views of Venice’ (Le fabriche e vedute di Venezia), etching. New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Bequest of Phyllis Massar, 2011
The Wharf, Looking toward the Doge’s Palace. Oil on canvas. Schloss Sanssouci, Potsdam
The Bridge for the Feast of the Madonna della Salute, 1720. Oil on canvas, Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford
The Piazzetta and the Library, 1720s. Oil on canvas, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford