Lot 63: Emilio Sanchez-Perrier (Spanish, 1855-1907) Evening, looking towards the Grand Canal with Santa Maria della Salute in the distance

Evening, looking towards the Grand Canal with Santa Maria della Salute in the distance
signed, inscribed and dated 'E Sanchez Perrier/Venezia 85' (lower right)
oil on panel
29.5 x 45cm (11 5/8 x 17 11/16in).

PROVENANCE:
Purchased by the vendor's grandfather
Thence by descent

Venice was always a favorite place for pre-Impressionist Spanish artists such as Antonio Reyna Manescau (1859-1937), Martin Rico y Ortega (1833-1908) and Rafael Senet (1856-1926). They were inspired by its golden light and the vestiges of the great flowering of Renaissance art and architecture. Among these artists were Emilio Sanchez-Perrier who stayed there in 1884 and 1885.

By this date, the artist had already exhibited at the Royal Academy in London and at The Paris Salon in 1880 with landscapes of Andalusia. He also painted landscapes in Barbizon and Fontainebleau for which he became famous. Indeed the wealthy American collector Georges A. Lucas was among his patrons.

The present lot was painted in Venice in 1885 during one of his most prolific periods. The artist was inspired by the legendary 'floating city' and particularly by the entrance of the Grand Canal.
This relatively small painting is executed with great precision, in particular with the treatment of the refections in the water and the fine details of the gondolas.
In the background, to the right Santa Maria della Salute can be seen with various paliazzi to the right right.
One of the best known views in Venice, Evening, looking towards the Grand Canal is among the most accomplished compositions of his Venetian period.