Optical Illusion 3 -- 18th-Century FX

Arrival of the French Ambassador to Venice

The artwork above was painted in the early 1700's by Giovanni Antonio Canal (1697–1768), also known as Canaletto. That one of the most eminent painters of Venice would have the last name of "Canal" is not the subject of this blog entry, however. The painting, which depicts the arrival of the French ambassador to Venice around 1727, is one of many created by Canaletto of his favorite city. However, there is a peculiar facet about this particular painting.

The painting currently is displayed in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. The photo above was taken from the left side of the painting (the viewer's right). You will notice that the most striking object in the painting is the huge building looming on the left side of the painting (the viewer's right) -- it appears to take up over half of the canvas, correct?  Well, maybe you are wrong. As the viewer moves through the Hermitage gallery while remaining fixated on this incredible art piece, all the objects in the painting seem to move and reposition themselves.  

The photo below was taken from the right side of the painting (the viewer's left). Look at that same huge building. What has happened to it? How did this happen? I don't know; however, the name of this entry is "Optical Illusion," so perhaps it's an optical illusion. Canaletto employed a perspective technique that was the 18th century's version of special effects. One could be entertained for hours walking back and forth in front of the painting, waiting for the day when video games will be invented.