Two gondolas - Limited edition print

In Two Gondolas, the viewer is drawn into a quieter pocket of Venice—tucked away just beyond the bustle of one of the city’s central thoroughfares. This scene is located near the Fondamenta Rio Marin on San Polo island, an area known for its grand Venetian architecture and lively atmosphere. But at the end of the road, where the canal bends gently out of sight, the artist found a moment of calm and a composition that felt both approachable and intimate.

This painting is based on a plein air sketch the artist created on location, while exploring the city by foot and water. She spent time traveling up and down the Fondamenta Rio Marin, drawn by the character of the colorful buildings, multiple crossing bridges and passing gondolas. What ultimately caught her attention was this scene framed by two gondolas in shadow, their curved forms acting like parentheses that cradle the composition and draw the eye inward.

A small figure near a doorway tends to a boat—a subtle nod to daily life in Venice, where canals are sidewalks and boats replace cars. While much of the surrounding area brims with ornate façades and tourist energy, this view feels like a rare moment of stillness—elegant, yet grounded.

The painting’s dynamic reflections dance across the surface of the water, capturing both the texture of the buildings and the rhythm of the canal itself. Warm reds, olive greens, and deep blues swirl together, echoing the buildings, trees and the sky above it. The narrow, winding canal adds a sense of mystery and intimacy, inviting viewers to pause and take in a side of Venice that isn’t always seen—but deeply felt.

Two Gondolas is a study in contrasts: light and shadow, grandeur and simplicity, movement and stillness. It captures not only the physical beauty of Venice, but also the fleeting moments of quiet wonder that appear when one takes the time to really look.