Francesco Guardi

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting has been restored however the restoration could be improved upon if the retouches were applied in a more specific and careful fashion. As is to be expected there are a few spots of restoration in the sky addressing some cracking and thinness, and also in the foreground. The painting is dirty and there is every reason to restore the painting, since in our opinion it will be fruitful and not costly.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

This architectural capriccio is a close variant of a work by Guardi which was sold Zürich, Koller Auktionen AG, 16 March 2005, lot 3079. Another similarly constructed work was formerly with David Koetser, Zurich (see A. Morassi, Guardi, I Dipinti, Venice 1984, vol. I, p. 467, cat. no. 843, reproduced vol. II, fig. 759).