The Garden of Palazzo Contarini dal Zaffo

Francesco Guardi (Italian) late 1770s Francesco Guardi, a member of a renowned family of painters in Venice, is celebrated for his vibrant depictions of the city's iconic landmarks and imaginative architectural fantasies known as capricci. While typically catering to wealthy travelers on the grand tour of Europe, this particular painting had an unusual patron—John Strange, the British resident in Venice. Guardi, usually focused on city views, deviates in this artwork, portraying the garden of a private house in Venice. The rear facade of Palazzo Contarini dal Zaffo is visible on the right, with its front facing the Grand Canal. The main highlight is the palace's formal garden, a luxury in Venice's crowded urban setting. The scene captures elegant couples strolling through geometric parterres, with Guardi skillfully playing with light—a shadow in the foreground contrasts with the bright reflections on the residence's facade and the distant lagoon on the left. The emphasis on light an