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Picture Gallery, Buckingham Palace
Highlight paintings at Buckingham Palace

Learn more about the paintings on display at Buckingham Palace this summer

CANALETTO (VENICE 1697-VENICE 1768)

The Bacino di San Marco on Ascension Day

c.1733-4

RCIN 404417

This painting is one of Canaletto's twelve views of the Grand Canal. The series was originally in the collection of Consul Joseph Smith, the greatest art collector in Venice at the time. In 1762 the young monarch George III purchased virtually the entire collection of Consul Smith. Because of this acquisition, the Royal Collection contains the largest collection of works by Canaletto.

This painting depicts the return of the Bucintoro, the ceremonial vessel used once a year for the Venetian Wedding of the Sea ceremony. On Ascension Day, the Bucintoro was rowed in procession out of the lagoon into the Adriatic, where the Doge cast a ring blessed by the Patriarch into the waters, symbolising the marriage of Venice to the sea. The Bucintoro depicted here was to be the last. After the fall of Venice to Napoleon's army in 1797, the upper part of the Bucintoro was burnt to recover the gold. In 1824 it was completely broken up in its birthplace, the Arsenale.


    The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.