San Vio, Venice

Description

Otto Henry Bacher
United States, 1856–1909
San Vio, Venice
1880
Etching
Gift of Mrs. Charles F. Weber, 1977/2.145
Bacher’s view of the Campo San Vio, in the Dorsoduro district of Venice between the Grand Canal and the Giudecca, is full of local color, with Venetian women gathered around a well decorated with reliefs of putti and garlands. Despite the picturesque setting, the scene lacks the delicate poetry of Whistler’s depictions of Venice. Though the wet pavement reflects forms, much as Whistler’s canals reflect his figures, the women are depicted according to conventions and stereotypes found in academic painting of such subjects and the figures are not handled with the same sympathy as Whistler’s.