The Piazza San Marco, Venice by Pierre-Auguste Renoir - 1881 - 89.54 x 104.46 cm Minneapolis Institute of Art The Piazza San Marco, Venice by Pierre-Auguste Renoir - 1881 - 89.54 x 104.46 cm Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Piazza San Marco, Venice

Oil on canvas • 89.54 x 104.46 cm
  • Pierre-Auguste Renoir - February 25, 1841 - December 3, 1919 Pierre-Auguste Renoir 1881

During his tour of Italy, the Impressionist master Pierre-Auguste Renoir visited Venice in late October 1881. His Venetian works mainly highlight the city's iconic landmarks. In this painting, Renoir captures the domes of the Cathedral of San Marco shimmering in the midday sun. The artwork remains in a sketch-like state, untouched by any studio refinement. Utilizing a distinctly Impressionist technique, the canvas is loosely covered with bold, quickly applied strokes of vibrant, unmixed colors. Simple daubs of paint illustrate the light cascading across the church's facade, along with the figures and fluttering pigeons in the piazza.

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P.P.S. The mesmerizing beauty of Venice has inspired painters across the centuries. Take a look at Venice painted by famous artists.