Venice, the most colorful of European cities, and one of the most musical. Several major painters made a specialty of Venetian scenes, which were very popular; this one, of an aquatic fete across from the central square, the Piazza San Marco, is by Canaletto (1697–1768). The Bucintoro Returning to the Molo (oil on canvas), ©The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle County Museum, UK / The Bridgeman Art Library.