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
Medium and Materialsmedium: watercolour
support: paper
Inscription and MarksW. Wyld
Method: painted watercolour
Position: bottom right
Techniquewatercolour on paper
Measurementsmedium height: 16.4cm
medium width: 25.4cm
