Gaspare Da Brescia St Marks Basilica Venice Appraisal

Gaspare da Brescia - St. Mark's Basilica, Venice

This is a mid-to-late 20th-century oil on canvas painting by Gaspare da Brescia, depicting an Impressionistic view of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. The composition features a vibrant, bustling crowd in the foreground portrayed with energetic, gestural brushstrokes, leading the eye toward the architectural silhouette of the Basilica's iconic domes. The palette is dominated by warm ochre, gold, and earthy tones, contrasted with deep blues, violets, and touches of white used to capture light and movement. The artist employs a heavy impasto technique, particularly visible in the architectural elements and the highlights of the crowd, giving the work a significant textural presence. The work is signed 'Gaspare' in the lower-left corner in a dark, sweeping script characteristic of the artist's hand. The painting is housed in a contemporary ornate gilt frame featuring a classic repeating acanthus leaf and beaded motif, which appears to be in good condition. The canvas itself shows no immediate signs of cracking or paint loss, though a minor yellowish patina suggests it may benefit from a light cleaning. The overall craftsmanship reflects a skilled hand capable of balancing semi-abstract figures with recognizable architectural forms.