English follower of Giovanni Antonio Canal, called Canaletto

With St. James's Galleries, London.

The painting is lighter and the colours and creamier than the catalogue illustration would suggest. The canvas has been relined however a nice impasto remains. The paint surface appears to be in good overall condition with no apparent damage or loss of paint however old infilling to craquelure in the sky has discoloured slightly and is visible in the upper right as can be seen in the catalogue illustration. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals the presence of a light varnish overall and what appears to be evidence of an old varnish that has been scrubbed off in the sky. It also reveals extensive infilling to craquelure throughout the sky, but most densely concentrated along the left and right hand edges. There is also evidence of minor strengthening in the architecture lower left and a combination of infilling and strengthening to the architecture and boats lower right. Offered in carved gilt wood frame in good presentable condition with minor losses to the gilding around the very outer edges.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This painting depicts the entrance to the Grand Canal, looking West. To the left, in the foreground we see the Punta della Dogana, with Santa Maria della Salute offset behind it and to the right we see Palazzo Tiepolo, now the Hotel Britannia. The composition relates to a work by Canaletto in the Royal Collection (see W.G. Constable, Canaletto, Oxford 1976, vol. II, no. 161, reproduced vol. II, plate 36) and a number of these compositional variants have been attributed to the artist William James, who was reputed to have been an assistant to Canaletto when he was working in London.