The River Thames With St. Paul's Cathedral On Lord Mayor's Day
Join us as we delve deeper into our beautiful 'The River Thames With St. Paul's Cathedral On Lord Mayor's Day' Pocket Square, painted by Baroque artist, Canaletto.
SHOP: 'The River Thames With St. Paul's Cathedral On Lord Mayor's Day' Pocket Square
BEHIND THE PAINTING
In the heart of London, Canaletto, a master of Venetian vedute, unveils his captivating masterpiece, 'The River Thames With St. Paul's Cathedral On Lord Mayor's Day'. With this painting, Canaletto immortalises a momentous event in London's calendar; celebrating the iconic St. Paul's Cathedral against the foreground of the Thames.
Showcasing the grandeur of St. Paul's Cathedral and the festive atmosphere of Lord Mayor's Day, an annual celebration honouring London's Mayor; Canaletto's masterful use of light, perspective and attention to detail, draws the eye to the cathedral's magnificent dome, standing tall amidst the vibrant city.
Significance in Art History
Canaletto's work stands as a testament to the rise of vedute painting (form the Italian for "view"; typically highly detailed, usually large-scale paintings) which flourished in 18th-century Europe. This genre focused on meticulously painted cityscapes or rural landscapes with astonishing precision. While Canaletto was renowned for his breath-taking Venetian scenes, this particular painting showcases his ability to capture the essence of London's architectural marvels.
At the same time, England was also experiencing a surge in the popularity of landscape painting. Canaletto, with his keen eye for architectural accuracy and his ability to infuse scenes with a sense of vitality, quickly became highly sought after by British collectors. His works not only depicted the city's landmarks but also conveyed the spirit and energy of London, immortalising it for generations to come.
Canaletto
Giovanni Antonio Canal, known as Canaletto, was born in Venice in 1697. His father, Bernardo Canal, was a scenic painter as well as his mentor. Under Bernardo's tutorship, Canaletto honed his skills and developed an extraordinary talent for capturing the essences of landscapes. He painted with precision, employing a distinctive style that emphasised architectural accuracy and atmospheric lighting.
Antonio Visentini, 'Portrait of Canaletto' London, The British Museum © The British Museum, London
In 1746, at the age of 49 Canaletto made his first trip to London, marking a turning point in his career. Inspired by the city's grandeur, he created a series of remarkable paintings, including the very same "The River Thames With St. Paul's Cathedral On Lord Mayor's Day." His depictions of London's iconic landmarks, such as Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London, became highly sought after.
Eton College by Canaletto
Canaletto's influence on the art world extended beyond his lifetime. His works not only offered viewers a glimpse into the architectural wonders of Venice and London but also played a significant role in shaping the development of landscape painting. His precision and attention to detail inspired countless artists who followed in his footsteps.
"The River Thames With St. Paul's Cathedral On Lord Mayor's Day" is a testament to Canaletto's ability to immortalise a specific moment in time. The painting preserves the festive atmosphere of Lord Mayor's Day, showcasing the elaborate boats, lively figures, and the grandeur of St. Paul's Cathedral.
WHICH FOLDS WORK BEST WITH THIS POCKET SQUARE?
'The River Thames With St. Paul's Cathedral On Lord Mayor's Day' Pocket Square works brilliantly across a number of folds due to the scale of the print and varying colours. The versatility of this pocket square will enable you to be creative and playful with your pocket square fold type. We discuss our two favourite fold styles in more detail below.
Read Further: Types of Pocket Square Folds
Puff Fold
The Puff Fold is not only one of the most popular folds but also one of the simplest to master. The most classic style is to adjust it till it forms a semi-circle above your pocket, but the very nature of the Puff Fold means you can be creative with the final look.
We feel it works best for a more casual look, and can be easily adjusted to display the different colours in your pocket square. In this instance the rust and cream tones from 'The River Thames' perfectly offset a mid-blue blazer.
The THREE POINT Peaks Fold
The Three Point Fold is quite a classic fold that adds interest to your jacket and does look quite intricate to the observer. This fold always looks best when you use a square that has some colour contrast with the border, such as 'The River Thames'.
To customise once folded, simply adjust the peaks so they have a uniform spacing and angle slightly backwards from the first peak. The sophisticated and uniformed nature of this fold lends itself well to more formal events such as a wedding or other special occasion.
Below in our YouTube Video Series, Alex explores how to create the perfect pocket square Three Point Fold.