
Antonio Canaletto took up etching as an extension of his painting practice, which consisted of representing topographical views of Venice for wealthy patrons. This print belongs to a series he made of rural scenery outside the city—here, the village of Dolo and its canal. Etching provided the artist with a means of formal experimentation, and he became a master of describing Venice’s distinctive buildings and the reflections and shadows from its many canals. Prints also provided the artist with a steady income; this series was likely marketed to affluent British tourists as a souvenir.