Antoine Bouvard, who painted both under his own name and the pseudonym “Marc Aldine”, was born at St. Jean-de-Bournay in L'Isere in 1870. He trained as an architect and studied art and architecture at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He became the Director of Architectural Services for the Seine, and was responsible for the construction of the Bourse du Travail and the Boulevard Morland in Paris. His paintings show the influence of Felix Ziem (1821-1911), whose images of Venice also display a delicate and fluid use of color.

Bouvard was a master in capturing the charming and unforgettable beauty of Venice. Not only did he portray the activity and glamour of famous scenes like the Grand Canal and the Santa Maria Della Salute, but he also caught the serenity of the backwaters. His paintings demonstrate his architectural skill while reflecting his love of Venice's unique light effects. Venice Scene features a row of gondolas at the mouth of the Grand Canal, directly outside an entrance to the grandiose Piazza San Marco.

Bouvard exhibited throughout France and Italy as well as in many provincial European galleries during his own lifetime. His popularity has continued to the present day, placing him amongst the most recognized and respected painters of Venetian subjects.

Provenance: From a private Florida collection to the gallery.

Bibliography: Askart.com