Canaletto's painting shows the Portello, Padua's river port on the Brenta Canal, with a broad waterway, a stone bridge, a domed classical church, and other buildings along the banks. In the foreground, figures handle stone blocks near boats, and a tall tree rises from a grassy embankment on the left. The Brenta Canal linked Padua with Venice, and the Portello handled goods moving along that route.
Wide white border along the bottom edge; visible halftone dot texture indicating a color printed reproduction of a painting. Printed text on the back: heading "POST CARD"; publisher "NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART / WASHINGTON, D. C."; series number [1605]; caption "THE PORTELLO AND THE BRENTA CANAL AT PADUA / By CANALETTO (1697-1768) / Samuel H. Kress Collection." No postmark or stamp; unused divided-back card. Printed National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.) reproduction card, mid-20th century; light pencil dealer marks "#59" and "1-" at lower right. Slight foxing/toning on cream stock.
Cite this card
The Portello and the Brenta Canal at Padua, by Canaletto, circa 1950, postcard, c. 1950. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/the-portello-and-the-brenta-canal-at-padua-by-canaletto-circ. Accessed November 2, 2026.
