From:Williamson Art Gallery and Museum

Name/TitleVenice

About this objectWilliam Wyld came from a business background and though family connections was briefly Secretary to the British Consul in Calais where he took watercolour lessons from Francia. His career as a diplomat failed and he moved to Bordeaux to work as a wine importer. His younger brother took ove r the wine business in 1833 which allowed Wyld to devote himself to painting. First he travelled to Algeries where he renewed his acquaintance with Horace Vernet. Verneten couraged him to go back with him to Rome. Wyld was particularly productive in Italy and made copious sketches which were to provide him with material for years to come. He began exhibiting at the Old Water-Colour Society in 1848 and cultivated a wide clientele. He died in Paris in December 1889.

This vivid watercolour shows a ship docking on the Molo beside the Doge's Palace with the Campanile in the background and the Dogana and Santa Maria della Salute on the far side of the Grand Canal. According to P. G. Hamerton 'Wyld stayed in Venice from September till the end of December [1833], and [took]....pains to draw the buildings as he saw them.' He enjoyed considerable 'successes in Venetian'.

MakerWyld, William (1806-1889)

Maker Roledraughtsman & painter

Period19th century

Medium and Materialsmedium: watercolour
support: paper

Style and IconographyLandscape

Style and IconographyUrban Landscape

Inscription and MarksW. Wyld
Method: painted watercolour
Position: bottom right

Techniquewatercolour on paper

Measurementsmedium height: 16.4cm
medium width: 25.4cm

Subject and Association KeywordsVenice, Italy

Subject and Association Keywordscanal

Subject and Association Keywordsbuilding

Subject and Association Keywordssky

Subject and Association Keywordsboat

Subject and Association Keywordsship

Subject and Association Keywordspeople

Credit LinePurchased from William Permain, 1923

Object Typewatercolour

Object numberBIKGM.1063

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved