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 3⁄8 x 73 1⁄8 in. (122.8 x 185.7 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Reverend F. Ward Denys, 1943.11.1
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Artwork Details

Title
Water Carriers, Venice
Artist
Date
1884
Location
Dimensions
48 3⁄8 x 73 1⁄8 in. (122.8 x 185.7 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
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/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 (32 items)

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Eliot Clark, Toward the Heights--Himalayas, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.8
Toward the Heights – Himalayas
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view
Eliot Clark, Shiva's Realm, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.19
Shiva’s Realm
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view
Eliot Clark, Nanda Devi at Dawn--Mayavati Himalayas, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.24
Nanda Devi at Dawn – Mayavati Himalayas
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view
Eliot Clark, Last Light, Nanda Devi--Himalayas XI, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.20
Last Light, Nanda Devi – Himalayas XI
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view

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William H. Johnson, Induction Center, ca. 1942, tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.169
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William H. Johnson, Family Reunion, ca. 1940-1941, tempera, pen and ink, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1061R-V
Family Reunion
Artist
Dateca. 1940-1941
tempera, pen and ink, and pencil on paper
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William H. Johnson, Children at Ice Cream Stand, ca. 1939-1942, tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1097R
Children at Ice Cream Stand
Artist
Dateca. 1939-1942
tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper
Not on view