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

Fire in the San Marcuola Oil Depot

1789
Oil on canvas, 32 x 51 cm
Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice

This is one of Guardi's last masterpieces, based on a real event which occurred during the evening of December 28, 1789. The glow of the fire has inspired an extraordinary, almost spectral night scene with the orange flames forming a barrier between the people and the houses, all painted with vivid, light brush strokes.




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