Water Carriers, Venice

Frank Duveneck, Water Carriers, Venice, 1884, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Reverend F. Ward Denys, 1943.11.1
Frank Duveneck, Water Carriers, Venice, 1884, oil on canvas, 48 3873 18 in. (122.8185.7 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Reverend F. Ward Denys, 1943.11.1
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Water Carriers, Venice
Date
1884
Dimensions
48 3873 18 in. (122.8185.7 cm.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Reverend F. Ward Denys
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure group
  • Architecture — bridge
  • Cityscape — Italy — Venice
  • Occupation — domestic — water carrier
  • Waterscape — canal — Grand Canal
Object Number
1943.11.1

Artwork Description

Welcome to modern Venice, a living city where local fishermen and families proudly perform their everyday chores, like fetching fresh water from communal cisterns, against a magnificent maritime backdrop. You stand on the Riva degli Schiavoni, the waterfront promenade adjacent to St. Mark's Basilica, the Ducal Palace, and other renowned attractions, but this is not a pristine, souvenir-style view of famous monuments. It recognizes instead the economic reality of Italy in the late nineteenth century, when the newly self-governing nation was in the midst of a dramatic transformation to greater economic productivity. The dragging shoulder of the young girl on the far right signals the contributions of all ages to this recovery and growth. These children are dreamers and workers, poised to restore Venice's leadership in trade, manufacturing, and the visual arts.

Sargent, Whistler, and Venetian Glass: American Artists and the Magic of Murano, 2021.

Works by this artist (341 items)

Carl Newman, Group of Three Nudes, drawing, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Henry Sayen and Miss Ann Sayen on behalf of Helene Zaun Newman, 1967.63.246
Group of Three Nudes
drawing
Not on view
Carl Newman, Two Female Nudes, drawing, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Henry Sayen and Miss Ann Sayen on behalf of Helene Zaun Newman, 1967.63.155
Two Female Nudes
drawing
Not on view
Carl Newman, Female Nude, drawing, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Henry Sayen and Miss Ann Sayen on behalf of Helene Zaun Newman, 1967.63.308
Female Nude
drawing
Not on view

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Pale Blue Landscape
Daten.d.
oil on paper mounted on paperboard
Not on view
George Catlin, Round Island, a Warrior, 1831, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.265
Round Island, a Warrior
Date1831
oil on canvas
Not on view
George Catlin, Men-són-se-ah, Left Hand, a Warrior, 1830, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.255
Men-són-se-ah, Left Hand, a Warrior
Date1830
oil on canvas
Not on view