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Rilato Bridge, Venice

Carlo Ponti

Artwork Details

Rilato Bridge, Venice
circa 1870-1880
Carlo Ponti
albumen print on paper
10 9/16 x 13 9/16 in. (26.9 x 34.6 cm);18 1/8 in x 22 1/8 in (46.04 cm x 56.2 cm)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. W. Howard Bond
1987/1.343

Description

Subject Matter:

This photograph depicts a view of the Rialto Bridge in Venice. Spanning across the Grand Canal, the Renaissance-era covered bridge rises gracefully up from the stone embankments lining the canal. At the bridge’s center stands an open portico with open archways, allowing one a view of the distant storefront awnings lining the inside of the bridge. The photograph was created on the right side of the canal, along which are docked a series of elegantly shaped wooden gondolas. The boats are tied to hewn wooden pilings which were driven into the canal’s depths. Seated on the stone embankments are two men, who calmly regard the camera. The man closest in the foreground is slightly blurred, indicating that he moved his head during the camera’s exposure. Likewise, the water of the canal is unnaturally smooth, the ripples of the water blurring together under the long exposure, becoming almost solid in appearance.  

Physical Description:

This photograph depicts a view of a marble covered bridge spanning the width of a city canal.  Along the embankments are a series of gondolas and a few seated men.

Usage Rights:

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