Michael Kenna - Venice. Memories and Traces

April 3 - 26, 2025
Artist’s Reception: First Thursday, April 3, 6-8 PM
Book Signing: Saturday, April 5, 2-4 PM

Harris Harvey Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition by internationally known photographer Michael Kenna, celebrating imagery from Venice as well as the new monograph, Venice. Memories and Traces, published by Skira Edition in 2024. Michael Kenna (British, b. 1953) was born in Widnes, England and lives in Seattle, Washington. Recognized as one of the world’s most prominent landscape photographers, Kenna is known for his poetic black & white images from around the globe. His mysterious photographs, often made at dawn or in the dark hours of night, concentrate primarily on the interaction between the natural landscape and human-made structures.

In a recent CNN story, Julia Buckley and Michael Kenna discuss the silence, the presence of absence, and depth of his work in the feature “This photographer is chasing the ‘ghosts’ of Venice.” Kenna’s work is defined by extended exposure times, sometimes lasting several hours, unveiling hidden nuances of the Venetian landscape. His camera lens captures a diverse range of subjects: fog-enshrouded chapels and rooftops, star trails over bell towers, archways of palaces, laundry lines, gondola prows, serene bridges, weathered statues, and twisted poles rising from the dark lagoon, evoking the presence of ancient figures. Through masterful manipulation of light, shadow, and reflection, Kenna’s photographs convey a strikingly poetic and intense portrayal of Venice.

Click here to view additional available photographs by Michael Kenna

Michael Kenna - Basilica di San Marco, Study 3, Venice, Italy. 2019, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Basilica di San Marco, Study 3, Venice, Italy. 2019, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Arsenale Tower, Venice, Italy. 2022, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Arsenale Tower, Venice, Italy. 2022, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Four Poles and Three Bricole, Venice, Italy. 2022, gelatin silver print, $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Four Poles and Three Bricole, Venice, Italy. 2022, gelatin silver print, $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Basilica San Marco Roof, Venice, Italy. 1980, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Basilica San Marco Roof, Venice, Italy. 1980, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Flying Bird over San Marco, Venice, Italy. 1990, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Flying Bird over San Marco, Venice, Italy. 1990, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Campazzo San Sebastian, Venice, Italy. 2008, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Campazzo San Sebastian, Venice, Italy. 2008, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Tables and Chairs in Acqua Alta, Venice, Italy, 2019. gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Tables and Chairs in Acqua Alta, Venice, Italy, 2019. gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Ponte della Canonica, Venice, Italy. 2022. gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Ponte della Canonica, Venice, Italy. 2022. gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Night Columns, Venice, Italy. 2022, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Night Columns, Venice, Italy. 2022, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Giudecca Channel Markers, Venice, Italy. 2017, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Giudecca Channel Markers, Venice, Italy. 2017, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Acqua Alta Reflection, Venice, Italy. 1987, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Acqua Alta Reflection, Venice, Italy. 1987, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Flooded Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy. 2019, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Flooded Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy. 2019, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Ferro da Gondola, Venice, Italy. 2006, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Ferro da Gondola, Venice, Italy. 2006, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Six Gondolas, Giardini, Venice, Italy. 1980, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Six Gondolas, Giardini, Venice, Italy. 1980, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Giudecca Island at Night, Venice, Italy. 2017, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Giudecca Island at Night, Venice, Italy. 2017, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Fishing Nets and Poveglia, Venice, Italy. 2021, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Fishing Nets and Poveglia, Venice, Italy. 2021, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Night Docking Poles, Venice, Italy. 2007, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Night Docking Poles, Venice, Italy. 2007, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Ponte dei Sospiri, Venice, Italy. 1987, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Ponte dei Sospiri, Venice, Italy. 1987, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - December Gondolas, Venice, Italy. 2017, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - December Gondolas, Venice, Italy. 2017, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Punta della Dogana, Venice, Italy. 2022, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Punta della Dogana, Venice, Italy. 2022, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Navigation Markers, Study 2, Venice, Italy. 2007, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Navigation Markers, Study 2, Venice, Italy. 2007, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Basilica and Eight Poles, Venice, Italy. 1990, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Basilica and Eight Poles, Venice, Italy. 1990, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Piazzeta San Marco Lamps, Venice, Italy. 2007, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Piazzeta San Marco Lamps, Venice, Italy. 2007, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Column, Piazzetta San Marco, Venice, Italy. 1987, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Column, Piazzetta San Marco, Venice, Italy. 1987, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Porta di Terra dell’Arsenale, Venice, Italy. 2022, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Porta di Terra dell’Arsenale, Venice, Italy. 2022, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Ponte Fondamenta Bonini, Venice, Italy. 2007, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Ponte Fondamenta Bonini, Venice, Italy. 2007, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Fishing Structure, Chioggia, Venice, Italy. 2021, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Fishing Structure, Chioggia, Venice, Italy. 2021, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Washing Line, Burano, Venice, Italy. 2021, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Washing Line, Burano, Venice, Italy. 2021, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Autumn Apples, Codevigo Padua, Venice, Italy. 2021, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Autumn Apples, Codevigo Padua, Venice, Italy. 2021, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $3200 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Two Lamps, Fondamenta Zattere, Venice, Italy, 2006, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Two Lamps, Fondamenta Zattere, Venice, Italy, 2006, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - San Marco from Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice, Italy. 2006, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - San Marco from Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice, Italy. 2006, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Cimitero San Michele, Venice, Italy. 1987, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)

Michael Kenna - Cimitero San Michele, Venice, Italy. 1987, gelatin silver print, 8 x 8 in. $2700 (framed)


Michael Kenna works in the traditional, non-digital, silver photographic medium. His exquisitely hand crafted black and white prints, which he makes in his own darkroom, reflect a sense of refinement, respect for history, and thorough originality. During Kenna’s career, his photographs have been shown in nearly 500 one-person gallery and museum exhibitions throughout the world, and are included in over one hundred permanent institutional collections, including; The Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris; The Metropolitan Museum of Photography, Tokyo; The Museum of Modern Art, New York; The National Gallery, Washington, D.C.; The Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai; and The Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Over ninety monographs and exhibition catalogs have been published on Kenna’s work, and in 2022 the artist received the prestigious Officer des Arts et des Lettres medal in Paris.