St. Mark's, Venice

Woodlock was a Liverpool artist who often painted gardens and cottages, in the manner of Helen Allingham (1848 - 1926). He also painted portraits. From JMW Turner (1775 - 1851) onwards, Venice was a popular subject for British artists. The facade of St. Mark's Church seen here was the subject of a description by the critic John Ruskin (1819 - 1900) in 'The Stones of Venice'. This watercolour was done from a drawing made on a trip to Venice in 1894, which was also the basis of an oil painting owned by the Walker Art Gallery. Both have the artist's typically sweet and sugary colours.