Pietro Bellotti (o Bellotto)

Galleria Tullio Silva, Milano.

C. Beddington, "Bernardo Bellotto and his circle in Italy. Part II: the Lyon Master and Pietro Bellotti" in The Burlington Magazine, 147, 2005, pp. 16-25, illustrato fig. 17.

The catalogue illustration is representative. The canvas has an old relining, with an old patch on the back of the canvas covering a hole in the sky to the left of the bell tower, and is offered in a gilt wood frame in Venetian style, 18th Century. An oxidised varnish is visible to the naked eye (the painting would benefit from a cleaning), some thinness in the paint surface visible in the clouds and some restorations along the old left batten are visible as well. Uv light reveals some sprinkling scattered retouchings in the sky at the left of the bell tower and some retouchings along the vertical joint. In our opinion, all the other parts of the painting are in very 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."

Presso la Desarnauts Collection (Tolosa) si conserva una versione più tarda del dipinto di dimensioni più o meno uguali, che Charles Beddington reputa di qualità inferiore.