\paperw19995 \margr0\margl0 \plain \fs20 \f1 The historical theme is a fairly unusual one for Francesco Guardi, an artist who is known for his religious paintings and, a
bove all, for his suggestive views of Venice. Notwithstanding the close-up point of view, he uses loose and blurred brushwork in this picture which links the figures to their setting by atmospheric effects.