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Giovanni Antonio Canaletto had a successful painting career in Venice. His paintings of landscapes were prized by tourists, souvenir hunting, and Canaletto enjoyed creating the images. The war of the Austrian Succession meant, however, that fewer tourists were coming to Venice, and Giovanni Antonio Canaletto had to move on. The artist chose London, and began painting his trademark landscapes there. Critics have noted that these show an idealized London: There is no smog and no rain, for example. But modern audiences love these paintings for their use of light, and for their sense of joy. In this painting, Westminster Bridge, London, with the Lord Mayor's Procession on the Thames, Canaletto shows us a river bursting with boats of all sizes, from large vessels carrying many people, to smaller boats holding just one or two. Some boats hold lines of rowers, all shown working in unison to propel the boats. Colored flags on the boats contrast beautifully with the grey waters below. The Westminster Bridge was relatively new when this painting was made, and is shown in bright detail here. The river recedes into the vanishing point in the distance, echoed by one small plume of grey smoke from the city. The sky above is rendered in brilliant, beautiful blue with fluffy white clouds. Canaletto seems comfortable and playful here, in his new home.
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Painting Details
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Artwork Name: Westminster Bridge, London, with the Lord Mayor's Procession on the Thames
Original Artist: Salvador Dali
Subject: Bridges
Style: Rococo
Medium: 100% Hand-painted on Canvas
Shipping Cost: FREE
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