GUARDI, Francesco
(b. 1712, Venezia, d. 1793, Venezia)

Il Ridotto (The Foyer)

1755
Oil on canvas, 108 x 208 cm
Museo del Settecento Veneziano, Ca' Rezzonico, Venice

Venetians would gather in the ridotti (foyers) of the many Venetian theaters to socialize and engage in various pastimes. The Senate issued repeated proclamations banning their use as gambling halls.

This painting, clearly inspired by Pietro Longhi, shows the Sala Grande of the foyer at Palazzo Dandolo prior to refurbishment in 1768.