Heritage and Expedition:
The Memory and Contemporaneity of Watercolor
— The 4th Le Venezie International Watercolor Festival Opens
Where the Brush Meets the Water
An Artistic Voyage of Discovery
The 2026 Venice International Watercolor Festival returns with the theme "Heritage and Expedition: The Memory and Contemporaneity of Watercolor." Honoring the historic legacy of the Bicknell family—from Elhanan’s vital art patronage to Clarence’s botanical masterpieces—the festival celebrates the fusion of art, science, and nature. Calling for global submissions, this year's event focuses on the contemporary transformation of traditional spirit, cross-media experimentation, and ecological expression. Hosted in the "City of Water," it is not merely an exhibition, but an ongoing global dialogue on how watercolor traditions are inherited, innovated, and rewritten for the future.
SUMMARY
NEWS
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"Heritage and Expedition: The Memory and Contemporaneity of Watercolor"--Thematic Interpretation of the 4th Le Venezie International Watercolor Festival 2026
The 4th Le Venezie International Watercolor Festival 2026 is organized around the theme "Heritage and Expedition: The Memory and Contemporaneity of Watercolor." This framing is conceived as an act of commemoration — honoring Elhanan Bicknell (1788–1861), one of the most consequential British art patrons and collectors of the nineteenth century, and his descendant Clarence Bicknell (1842–1918).
2026-05-01
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The Third Le Venezie International Watercolor Festival: Turner's Spirit Reborn and a Deeper Dialogue Between East and West
From October 11 to 26, 2025, the Third Le Venezie International Watercolor Festival was held in grand style at the Palazzo dei Trecento in Treviso, Italy. Themed "Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Birth of William Turner," the festival was jointly organized by the Independent Turner Society (UK), the Italian Cultural and Art Exchange Association, and Sheng Xinyu Art (China).
2026-04-20
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The Second Le Venezie International Watercolor Festival: East Meets West Through Art, in Tribute to the 700th Anniversary of Marco Polo
On October 12, 2024, the opening ceremony and awards ceremony of the Second Le Venezie International Watercolor Festival were held in grand style at the Palazzo dei Trecento in Treviso, Italy.
2026-04-20
ART-RESIDENCIES
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Looking Back at the Venice International Watercolor Festival: Reframing the Global Coordinates of Watercolor Through “Art Historical Anchors”
Since its inaugural edition in 2023, the Venice International Watercolor Festival (Le Venezie International Watercolor Festival), jointly initiated by the Italian Cultural and Artistic Exchange Association and Sheng Xinyu Art from China, and strongly supported by the Municipality of Treviso, has been successfully held for three consecutive editions. The fourth edition is scheduled for October 2026.
2026-05-01
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When Watercolor Meets Monotype: A Special Masterclass at the Fourth Le Venezie International Watercolor Festival
The Venice International School of Graphics is one of the most important centers for printmaking education in Italy and across Europe, offering instruction in a wide range of traditional and contemporary printmaking techniques. Venice, as a great hub of art and printing during the Renaissance, provided extraordinarily fertile ground for the development of watercolor monotype — and yet, for all its prestige, the school remains largely unknown to most Chinese artists.
2026-04-20
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An Unexpected "Suspense": Visiting Dr. Selby Whittingham, Founder of the Turner Society
My acquaintance with Dr. Selby Whittingham, Chairman of the Turner Society, dates to 2021, when I conducted an in-depth interview with him exploring Turner's life and artistic journey.
2026-04-20
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