Joseph Mallord William Turner

Finberg later annotated his 1909 Inventory entry (‘View from the Molo’): ‘Doge’s Pal, with Dogana & Salute beyond’.1 With the page turned horizontally, the view is north-west from the Bacino waterfront in the right foreground, where figures are gathered on the quay near what is likely a small ceremonial barge. Beyond, increasingly slightly rendered from right to left, are the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace), the entrance to the Piazzetta, and the Libreria Sansoviniana and Zecca (Mint), with the domes of Santa Maria della Salute and the porch of the Dogana in the distance on the left, at the entrance to the Grand Canal.

The latter elements are west-south-west of the viewpoint, and brought in through considerable lateral compression; compare a contemporary colour study on grey paper (Tate D32180; Turner Bequest CCCXVII 1), under which other views are noted. Below, the other way up, is an elevation of the Molo arcade of the Doge’s Palace.

The horizontal view on folio 89 recto opposite (D32437) continues the view to the right, effectively forming a panorama with this one.