WILLIAM CALLOW, R.W.S. | The Grand Canal looking towards the Rialto Bridge from the South

William Broadfoot (1841-1922);
by family descent

London, Old Water-Colour Society, 1869

This watercolour remains well balanced and impressive. Many of the pigments of survived very well, although some of the most subtle many of dropped back a little. The sheet is well preserved, and has only darkened very slightly. This is only noticeable when viewed out of the current mount. The paper is laid down.
"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."

Since the seventeenth century many an Englishman has 'indulged himself in a love affair with Venice'¹ and William Callow was no exception. This watercolour is likely to be based on sketches that he executed during his 1865 trip to 'that Queen of cities' with Sidney Richard Percy. There, Callow was delighted to find his old gondolier, Jacomo, whom he had sought out on every trip to Venice since 1840, alive and well. The present watercolour, which dates to 1869, was exhibited at the Society of Painters in Water-Colour in that same year. ^1. Country Life, 16 March 1972, p. 61