Venezia, an oil on canvas, approximately 34” x 42” by David Dalhoff Neal (1868 – 1915).
Grandson of Russians who emigrated in 1763, Neal was born in Lowell at the corner of Branch and Middlesex Streets. He attended Lowell grammar schools, a high school in Lawrence and also attended art classes at Andover Academy. He left the area when he was 15 years old to study painting in New Orleans and San Francisco. In the late 1860s, he toured Italy after studying for four years at the Royal Academy in Munich. The Rialto, which is depicted here, is the oldest bridge that spans the Grand Canal in Venice. Neal’s portrait and study for The First Meeting of Mary Stuart and Rizzio, 1876, are part of the collection at the Whistler House.
This piece was purchased with donations from Mr. Neal (he dropped the price $200 when he heard that they city was purchasing it), Mr. Ogden Mills of NY, Mr. Warren Colburn of Lowell and the Library Trustees in 1911 for $1,000.
Restoration of this work was undertaken after the paint was chipping and scalloped. The restoration took nearly 2 years and the work as it is now, was unveiled in 2012.