“Venetian Capriccio” is part of the “Urban Arenas” series, where architecture and cultural landmarks are reimagined through contemporary artistic language.

This work takes inspiration from the tradition of the capriccio, a pictorial genre that flourished in Italy during the 17th and 18th centuries. A capriccio is not a faithful cityscape, but rather an imaginative reconstruction of reality—an architectural fantasy where monuments and landmarks are combined in ways that never existed. Celebrated Venetian painters such as Canaletto, Marco Ricci, and Giovanni Paolo Panini mastered the art of these inventive views, creating dreamlike scenes that merged history, memory, and imagination.

In this painting, the iconic symbols of Venice—its palaces, domes, bridges, and gondolas—are drawn in black charcoal lines over a delicate pink geometric pattern, inspired by the Gothic tracery of the Ca’ d’Oro. The contrast between the ornamental backdrop and the bold charcoal drawing emphasizes the timeless dialogue between Venice’s architectural heritage and the artist’s contemporary vision.

Crafted on cotton canvas mounted on a wooden frame (100 x 70 cm), the work is prepared with a white gesso base, painted with acrylics and charcoal, and finished with two layers of matte transparent varnish to protect it against time and light.

By merging classical inspiration with modern abstraction, this “Venetian Capriccio” becomes both a tribute to the city’s glorious past and a reflection on how urban spaces continue to inspire our collective imagination.

Charcoal, Acrylics and Gesso on Canvas
2025
100 W x 70 H x 1.7 D cm