Fondamenta de le Grue

Not far from the Frari, in San Polo, a house entrance on the Fondamenta delle Grue. On the far end of the red brick passage, so cool during the hot season, two antique marble colums, and a quiet and deserted little canal...

La Bella Estate

A quei tempi era sempre festa. Bastava uscire di casa e attraversare la strada, per diventare come matte, e tutto era bello, specialmente di notte, che tornando stanche morte speravano ancora che succedesse qualcosa, che scoppiasse un incendio, che in casa nascesse un bambino, o magari venisse giorno all'improvviso e tutta la gente uscisse in strada e si potesse continuare a camminare fino ai prati e fin dietro le colline...

Cesare Pavese - La Bella Estate (The Fine Summer)

Dreaming on the Rialto

All day long, and late at night too, people gather on the Rialto bridge and spend some time, leaning on the balustrade, observeing the trafic on the Grand Canal.

San Geremia

On the Grand Canal, where it joins the Cannaregio Canal, San Geremia, built in 1753 on the site of a former 12 th century church. Its campanile is attached to baroque Palazzo Labia.

Summer in Santa Croce

"There's a time each year
That we always hold dear,
Good old summer time;
With the birds and the trees'es
And sweet scented breezes,
Good old summer time,
When you day's work is over
Then you are in clover,
And life is one beautiful rhyme,
No trouble annoying,
Each one is enjoying,
The good old summer time."

Ron Shields, In the Good Old Summertime

Boy With Frog

Yes, it's the Dogana di Mare, in a new version signed by sculptor Charles Ray and French (Breton would certainly be more appropriate) businessman François Pinault.

The good thing : you can now access the long time closed Punta della Dogana, one of the most magical places in Venice.

The less good thing : if you come at dawn to sit here with your lover and admire the first rays of light on San Mark's Basin, you will indeed be three, with the security guard - watching for the Boy's and the frog's well-being - right behind you.

A postcard from San Francisco

Just to say that I'dont forget you and that I will resume my Venice postings within one week...
Best regards to all of you.
Pierre

Venice, in Carmel, CA

A luxury garment shop in Carmel by the Sea...

Venice, by Bernardo Bellotto, at the Getty Center

Seen yesterday in the magical Getty Center in Los Angeles... A view of the Grand Canal : Santa Maria della Salute and the Dogana from Campo Santa Maria Zobenigo. About 1740. An oil on canvas, by the italian artist Bernardo Bellotto (1722-1780) who produced numerous views of Venice for the tourists stopping there on their "Grand Tour" of Europe.

Greetings from Venice

Venice, far away from Italy...