Francesco Guardi, Caprice View with Ruins

This is one of three tiny pictures that have been grouped together since the early nineteenth century (the others show a man and child in a landscape with a derelict folly, and hard-working men beside a pool). It shows an elegantly dressed couple heading towards a pillared ruined arch, which appears in other pictures by Guardi. These foreground figures are only around one centimetre tall, but Guardi still managed to portray a sense of their movement, poses and dress.

Rich colours and bright light draw us into the scene. Guardi has created a glowing atmosphere – the elegant columns and domed roof reflect the sunlight, which also illuminates the white building beyond. These works, known as capricci or imaginary views, were bought as souvenirs by tourists to Venice, Guardi’s home city and where he spent his entire career.