WILLIAM JAMES MÜLLER | The entrance to Venice

fishing boat and other craft in a swell, with Santa Maria della Salute in the right foreground, with a gilt plaster frame

John Edward Taylor (1830–1905);
His posthumous sale, London, Christie's, 8 July 1912, lot 240, to Agnew's on behalf of John Edward Taylor Allen (1864–1919), John Edward Taylor’s nephew;
Thence by family descent to the present owner.

C.G.E. Bunt, The Life and Work of William James Muller of Bristol, Leigh-on-Sea 1948, p. 109.

The canvas is lined, the paint surface is slightly dirty, and the varnish is slightly discoloured. Much of the impasto paintwork, particularly in the choppy waves and clouds, remains intact. A small, discoloured retouching is visible to the naked eye in the edge of the cloud upper left. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals further retouchings in the sky, most concentrated in the upper right corner in an area measuring approx. 2 x 12 cm. There are other scattered retouchings along the right-hand margin in the sky, the lower right corner, along the lower margin, and along the centre of the left margin. The foreground, boats and architecture appear to remain untouched. In overall good condition.
"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."