Emanuel Vidović
Giudecca (Venice), circa 1905 (?)
oil on canvas
92,2 x 130 cm (104,5 x 143 cm)
inv. br. MG-578

One of most important painters of Croatian Modernism, Emanuel Vidović (1870-1953) started his artistic education in Split with painter Emilio Vecchietti. In 1887 he started his studies in sculpture at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Venice, changing to painting but then shortly leaving in 1890 disappointed by the conservative approach. He completely dedicated himself to painting Venetian canals and lagoons. After ten years spent in Venice, Milano and Chioggia Vidović returned to Split in 1907 and remained there for the rest of his life. He created constantly while teaching in School of Crafts from 1909 and was one of the founders of group Medulić which impacted our artistic and cultural scene.
The ambience of Venetian canals and the picturesque fisherman’s village Chioggia had a big impact on the art of Emanuel Vidović. The influence of Venetian landscapes like those of Guglielmo Ciardi and the plein air works of macchiaiola painters (Tuscan artists painting in short patchy brushstrokes) are visible in his formative stage.
“Giudecca (Venice)” depicts a classic motif from Vidović - Venetian gondolas tied to the edge of the canal, the bridges and recognisable Venetian architecture. One thing that stands out is the reflection in the canal water that does not match the painted architecture. It is probable that the painter changed one part of the painting and then intentionally or not forgot to match the reflection in the canal water. The mystical atmosphere and the dark colors marked with a deep dark red of the building’s facade and the tree tops reflect in the dark blue canal water. The brush strokes are applied thickly and fast.

Text: Stella Baki, curator / museum educator at the National Museum of Modern Art Zagreb
Photo: Goran Vranić © National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb