Press Releases

Canaletto Paired Highlighted in the Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

Sarasota, FL—May 14, 2007—An exceptional focus exhibition from The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art will be on exhibit in the Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing from May 12- July 29, 2007. Canaletto Paired: 18^th-century Venetian View Painting is part of the Ringling Museum’s Masterworks Exchange exhibition series.

Canaletto Paired: 18^th-century Venetian View Painting introduces the art of vedute, or view painting, in 18^th-century Venetian painting. Brought together are three pairs of exquisite views of Venice: two masterworks by Giovanni Antonio Canal, called Canaletto; the champion of the vedute, from the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and two other pairs of paintings by Canaletto and Luca Carlevaris from the Ringling Museum’s permanent collection.

The beauty and allure of 18^th-century Venice is captured by two of its greatest pictorial authors of the day. The exhibition highlights how little the city of canals and golden facades has changed in the last three centuries.

“No visitor to Venice ever forgets the wonderful light, color, and sounds of this romantic city,” says Curator of Collections Dr. Stephen Borys, “And most everyone thinks of Canaletto when they reflect on Venetian painting.”

Canaletto’s pictures appealed to unsophisticated tourists as attractive souvenirs of the sights of Venice, as well as to the connoisseurs who recognized his paintings as great art. In his most successful works, he presented an accurate and detailed record of a particular scene, while capturing the light and life of Venice with a perception and luminosity that established his reputation as one of the greatest topographical painters of all time.

Vedute, or view paintings, are among the most important and typical aspects of 18th–century Venetian art. Today, tourists on European voyages can purchase a variety of documentary souvenirs, including an array of digital images and videos. However in the 18th century, the options were limited to paintings, prints and drawings. The creation of travel literature and guidebooks informed tourists of the famous sights of Venice even before their arrival. The Grand Tour, which brought visitors to Venice, Rome, Florence, and Naples, provided a ready market for the paintings of Canaletto, the most famous vedutista (view painter), and other practitioners of the genre, including Luca Carlevaris, and Francesco Guardi, who are all represented in the Ringling Museum of Art’s collection.

The Masterworks Exchange exhibition series will be presented alongside other temporary exhibitions in the Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing at the Ringling Museum. Select works from the Museum’s permanent collection as well as significant works from other North American and European museums will be highlighted.

Canaletto Paired: 18^th-century Venetian View Painting will be on exhibit May 12- July 29, 2007.

General Admission includes the Ringling Museum of Art, special exhibitions,Cà d’Zan Mansion, Circus Museum,Mable’shistoric Rose Garden and Florida’s only rose test gardens, all on 66 acres of lushly landscaped grounds. Adults are $15; senior citizens (65 and over) are $13; children ages 6-17 are $5. Free Admission for children 5 and under accompanied by an adult, museum members. Advance tickets are available by calling 941.358.3180. Visit for more information.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, in its affiliation with Florida State University, is the largest museum/university complex in the nation. It preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling, educating and enabling a large and diverse audience to experience and take delight in a world-renowned collection of fine art; Cà d’Zan, the Ringling historic mansion; the Circus Museum; the Tibbals Learning Center, the Original Asolo Theater; and historic architecture, courtyard, gardens and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.