Follower of Giovanni Antonio Canal, called Canaletto, 19th Century

Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 3 July 3 1996, lot 309 (as Manner of Canaletto).

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting has an old glue lining, which is still effective. The fine weaved canvas has brought about slight abrasion in the darker colors of the architecture. However, given the fact that there is hardly any retouching of any note in the lower half of the picture, the condition of the paint layer within the architecture and foreground can be considered to be very good. Under ultraviolet light, there are some rather broad interpretive restorations visible in the lower sky on either side of the central tower. The upper sky is in better condition, but has still received some rather lazy glazing. If the picture were cleaned, and the retouches applied in a more accurate and economical fashion, the painting would improve, and would certainly look a lot better certainly under ultraviolet light.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

The composition follows that of Canaletto's original which was sold at Sotheby's, London, December 8, 2010, lot 39 (W.G. Constable, Canaletto, 2nd revised ed. by J.G. Links, Oxford 1989, vol. II, pp. 216-7, no. 65).