Lot 66
  • 66

FOLLOWER OF GIOVANNI ANTONIO CANAL, CALLED CANALETTO | Venice, a view of the Grand Canal, looking north-east from Santa Croce to San Geremia and the Chiesa degli Scalzi

Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Canaletto
  • Venice, a view of the Grand Canal, looking north-east from Santa Croce to San Geremia and the Chiesa degli Scalzi
  • Unframed: 61.3 x 92.3 cm.; 24 1/8  x 36 3/8  in. Framed: 99.3 x 130 cm.; 39 1/8  x 51 1/8  in.
oil on canvas This is a period copy after the painting by Canaletto that is one of twenty-one views of Venice of the same size, painted between 1730 and 1735, which formerly belonged to Sir Robert Grenville Harvey, and of which none are now displayed publicly. Several related drawings for this composition by Canaletto exist,1 and it was also one of nine of the group of twenty-one to be engraved by Antonio Visentini.2 Visentini's prints of Canaletto’s Venetian 'vedute' were organised by the artist’s patron, Consul Joseph Smith, and led to the wide dissemination and popularity of the artist's works, particularly among 18th-century British collectors. The present composition depicts the church of Santa Croce in the foreground on the right, with round windows over the two side portals; the dome beyond of S. Simeone Piccolo, which today greets visitors arriving at Venice train station (a structure which has now replaced a lot of what is visible on the left-hand side of this view); and the campanile of S. Geremia, visible in the distance. As the nameplate on the frame of the present painting relates, this work was previously attributed to William James. James was believed to be a landscape painter based in London, and possibly a pupil of Canaletto when he also came to work here. A lack of documentary evidence, however, has led to uncertainty over James' identity and paintings formerly attributed to his hand are now generally given to high-quality, anonymous followers of Canaletto, like the present work. 1 https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/canaletto-in-venice/the-queens-gallery-buckingham-palace/venice-the-grand-canal-looking-east-from-the-fondamenta-delle-croce2 http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1481565&partId=1&searchText=canaletto+visentini&page=1

Provenance

With Baumkotter Gallery, London (as William James), by whom sold, 19 May 1997, to the present owner.

Condition

All paintings available to view at the Sotheby’s Greenford Park warehouse, 5 - 7 and 10 – 13 September (10 - 4pm), by appointment. The canvas has a firm relining, the paint surface is relatively clean and the varnish is only slightly discoloured. The canvas shows evidence of slight wear, most notably in the sky, where the light ground has become more visible in some areas. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals spot retouchings scattered throughout the sky, with more concentrated areas in the clouds. There is also retouching to the church on the right-hand side and tiny spots sparsely scattered throughout the lower half of the composition.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.