Félix Ziem (1821 –1911) – The painter of Venice

This painting by Félix Ziem is a vibrant depiction of Venice, showcasing the Doge’s Palace seen from the Canal della Grazia. Félix Ziem, the painter of Venice, was renowned for his dreamlike landscapes and his ability to capture the interplay of light and water. Venice was one of his favorite subjects, and he painted the city extensively throughout his career.

This particular work exemplifies Ziem’s characteristic style. The painting features loose brushstrokes and luminous colors, creating a dynamic atmosphere that evokes the poetic essence of Venice. The Doge’s Palace, with its iconic architecture, stands prominently in the composition. Gondolas and sailing ships populate the canal della Grazia, adding movement and life to the tranquil scene.

This painting was purchased directly from Félix Ziem and has since been passed down through the family by inheritance.

Félix Ziem was born in 1821 in Beaune, on the Côte d’Or, to an Armenian father and a mother from Burgundy. Early in his career, between 1834 and 1836, he worked under the architect Lemaire. In 1838, Ziem won first prize in the architectural composition competition at the École des Beaux-Arts in Dijon, but was soon expelled for disciplinary reasons. Following this setback, he left home for Marseille, where he supervised canal construction and developed a passion for sketching the city’s historic residences. Determined to make a living from his art, Ziem began seeking patrons and, in 1840, opened a studio that became a gathering place for artists such as Monticelli and Auguste Aiguier.

Throughout his life, Ziem was an avid traveler, visiting Constantinople, Beirut, Cairo, Algiers, Russia, the Netherlands, Belgium, and England. He also frequented Barbizon, where he lived in a gypsy caravan and painted alongside renowned landscape artists such as Millet, Rousseau, Diaz, and Daumier.

In 1842, he embarked on a journey to Rome on foot, trading sketches for sustenance, and soon after discovered Venice—a city he described as a personal revelation. Venice became his second home, and from 1845 to 1892, he returned regularly, often staying for extended periods. During his 1847 stay, he lived and worked in a studio set up on a flat-bottomed boat, and later in a converted “traghetto,” allowing him to paint directly from the water.

The 1860s marked a prolific period for Ziem, with numerous exhibitions—including the Universal Exhibition in London in 1861—and a focus on Paris, Venice, Martigues, Nice, and Barbizon. He regularly exhibited at the Salon from 1849, earning a third-class medal in 1851 and first-class medals in 1852 and 1855. Ziem was appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1857, promoted to Officer in 1878, and named Commander in 1908.

From 1880 to 1900, Ziem maintained a vigorous pace, serving a large clientele and shuttling between studios in Marseille, Martigues, Nice, and Paris, while continuing his trips to Venice. In 1905, he donated over fifty paintings, along with studies, sketchbooks, and watercolours, to the Musée du Petit Palais. The Musée Ziem opened in Martigues in 1910, and that same year, Ziem became the first living artist to have a work enter the Louvre, thanks to the Chauchard bequest. He died in Paris in 1911, after spending his final summer in Barbizon.

A lifelong pursuit of sunlight and vibrant color defined his work, particularly in Venice.. His palette—golds in the yellows, copper in the oranges, ruby reds, cobalt blues, and luminous greens—anticipated the Impressionists’ fascination with light and color.

Critics such as Théophile Gautier compared Ziem to Turner, declaring Venice to be his true artistic homeland. Gautier praised Ziem’s ability to evoke the city’s shimmering waters and fleeting light with just a few brushstrokes. Though best known for his Venetian scenes, Ziem also painted exotic landscapes, views of the Eiffel Tower, portraits, genre scenes, and still lifes. Yet, his depictions of Venice—caught between reality and myth—remain his most celebrated legacy.

This painting is a perfect example of Ziem’s skills and reflects his ability to transform real landscapes into dreamlike visions.

Museums holding Ziem’s works include: Musée Ziem (Martigues), Musée de la Marine (Paris), Musée du Louvre (Paris), Musée du Petit Palais (Paris),  Wallace Collection (London), Musée de Moscou (Russia), Musée des Beaux-Arts (Berlin, Germany), Musée des Beaux-Arts (Liège, Belgium), Musée de Montréal-Learmont (Quebec, Canada)

D I D  Y O U  K N O W ? That Vincent van Gogh once expressed envy for Ziem’s blues, remarking, “I would like to make blues like Ziem does, which don’t change as much as the others.”

Ziem was deeply invested in the craft of painting, often preparing his own pigments, notably using lapis lazuli for his blues.