Lot 200 D α

Max Stern studied at the Academy in his home town of Düsseldorf and at the Academy in Munich. However, he was less influenced by either tradition than he was by the Hague School and French Impressionism. He adopted their broad, forceful brushstrokes and vivid, lively colour palette. However, for this view of Venice the artist has chosen a darker colour palette. The large stairwell in the centre of the composition is thought to be the entrance to the Ponte Della Paglia near the Doge's palace. In the background we recognise the vague outline of the Baroque church of Santa Maria della Salute. This painting was probably made during a trip to Venice lasting several months which Max Stern made immediately after completing his military service in 1894.