Walter Richard Sickert 1860-1942
The Salute, Venice, c.1896
oil on panel
5¾ x 9¼ ins
signed lower left 'Sickert'



Sickert had first visited Venice in 1895; his wife Ellen had organised the trip hoping, by removing Sickert from the distractions and the temptation of London society, that this could save their unsettled marriage. Though in this it was not a success, Sickert separating from Ellen early in 1896, he quickly returned to Venice, spending most of that same year painting there, this study probably being painted during or soon after this second visit. Venice was to prove a remarkably rich source of subject matter over the years while at the same time being commercially very successful. In early treatments such as this, his knowledge and understanding of the etchings and paintings of his former master, Whistler, are still very apparent though the bold, sketchy handling of this vivid and luminous little painting may also owe something to this first-hand experience of Monet’s later work - he had travelled through Paris the previous Spring and it is highly probable he had seen Monet’s Rouen Cathedral series then.