A signature view of Venice by Canaletto brought a strong price for the 18th century Italian master at Christie’s on February 4, leading the Old Master week in New York. Hammering at $26 million, it sold for a total of $30.5 million including fees, just over its $30 million pre-sale estimate. Backed by a guarantee and irrevocable bid, it was sure to sell.
Dated to around 1754, Venice, the Bucintoro at the Molo on Ascension Day has gone under the hammer three times before. Most recently, also at Christie’s, it sold for $20.1 million with fees in 2005—which is about $33.1 million today, when adjusted for inflation. In 1973, the painting fetched £280,000 (around $650,000 at the time) at Sotheby’s, according to the provenance.
