CLARKSON FREDERICK STANFIELD, R.A. (SUNDERLAND 1793-1869 LONDON)

Clarkson Stanfield made two trips to Venice in 1830 and as part of his longer Italian tour of 1838-9. However the present drawing appears to be a capriccio scene of various Venetian elements. With the lagoon to the right, the building being a substantial city Gothic palazzo rather than an outer island building, and the view down a straight waterfront with distant land behind, would suggest a view roughly west and north along the Fondamenta Nuova, but there is no campanile of this sort at the far end. There are other known capriccio's of Venice by Stanfield, including one in the Guildhall Art Gallery, London (730).
The signature, including 'R.A.' dates it to after 1835, so it is either based on sketches from his first visit, or executed soon after the second one.
We are grateful to Dr Pieter Van De Merwe for his assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.