The Guardi from Calouste Gulbenkian at Ca' Rezzonico

Ca' Rezzonico – Museum of 18th-Century Venice presents a curated selection of works by Francesco Guardi from the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon. Open until 8 June 2026, the exhibition brings together paintings and drawings that capture the atmospheric and evocative vision of late-18th-century Venice.

Why visit

The displayed works trace Guardi's evolution toward his mature vedute: suggestive brushwork, luminous effects and a flexible approach to perspective distinct from earlier vedutists. The exhibition contrasts paintings with works on paper from Venetian civic collections, highlighting the dialogue between private collecting and public holdings.

Works and main themes

• Paintings: key masterpieces dated c.1770–1790 from the Gulbenkian holdings (acquired between 1907 and 1921).
• Drawings: sheets from the Drawings and Prints Cabinet, showing Guardi's delicate graphic and watercolor technique.
• Subjects: public festivities such as the Festa della Sensa and the Departure of the Bucintoro, views of the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge in Palladio's design and scenes of the Venetian mainland.

Practical information

• Venue: Ca' Rezzonico – Museum of 18th-Century Venice, Venice.
• Dates: 12 March 2026 – 8 June 2026.
• Highlights: the atmospheric effects of Guardi's brushwork paired with civic drawings that reveal his creative process.
• Visiting tip: allocate 60–90 minutes to fully appreciate paintings and works on paper; check museum opening hours before your visit.

Historical significance

The exhibition presents Guardi as an artist who moved away from the geometric certainties of predecessors like Canaletto, offering instead an inner image of Venice: structures softened by light, shifting perspectives and an expressive tone that foreshadows Romantic sensibilities. The temporary return of these works to Venice also prompts reflection on the role of private collections in shaping civic memory.