Bidspirit auction | Charles Theodore Middleton – A

Charles Theodore Middleton – A View of an Italian Regatta or Gondola Race on the Grand Canal at Venice – Copperplate Engraving (1777) - This copperplate engraving, published in 1777 in Charles Theodore Middleton’s A Complete System of Geography, captures the spectacle of a Venetian regatta on the Grand Canal. The image shows richly adorned gondolas racing through the canal, with crowds of spectators gathered along both banks and balconies. Figures in elaborate 18th-century attire line the quays, while ornate palazzi and architectural landmarks recede into the distance under a vivid sky. The composition emphasizes both the elegance of Venetian civic life and the cultural fascination with Italy as a center of art, ceremony, and maritime tradition.Charles Theodore Middleton’s A Complete System of Geography was an encyclopedic project aimed at documenting global cities and customs for the English-speaking world. This engraving exemplifies the Enlightenment ideal of collecting and visualizing knowledge across continents and cultures.Artist or Maker: Charles Theodore Middleton (Publisher)Dimensions: 24 cm x 36 cmMedium: Copperplate EngravingDate: 1777Condition Report:This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.