Francesco Guardi Venice 1712-1793

Antonio Morassi dates the present capriccio to between 1760 and 1770 on the basis of its unusually bold palette and lively brushwork. He notes that it is part of a series of four works (together with nos. 854, 863 and 980). All four were at one time with Knoedler Galleries in New York. A preparatory study for this painting is in the Museo Correr, Venice (see R. Palluchini, I disegni del Guardi al Museo Correr di Venezia, 1943, p. 56, no. 138).