Old Master Paintings: views of Venice at the forthcoming London sales

The traditional and prestigious London sales of Old Master Paintings at Sotheby’s and Christie’s will take place on 7 and 8 July. The auctions will be dominated by 18th Century Italian paintings.

At Sotheby’s evening session on 7 July, 55 lots will be offered with estimates ranging from GBP 30,000 to GBP 8 million. The most sought-after works are paintings of Venice with two views of the Grand Canal by Giovanni Antonio CANAL carrying the highest estimates at between GBP 5 and 8 million. However, there will also be a number of other particularly interesting 18th Century paintings of Venice on offer, including works by Bernardo BELLOTTO, Giovanni Paolo PANINI and Luca CARLEVARIS. The same day, another work by Canaletto, from the CHAMPALIMAUD collection, will go under the hammer at Christie’s with a pre-sale estimate of between GBP 4 and 6 million.

The following day, Christie’s will pursue the Venetian theme with its Old Masters sale being dominated by a painting by Francesco GUARDI entitled “The Grand Canal, Venice, with the Palazzo Bembo”. The painting, from the John & Anna Jaffe collection, is earmarked for sale at between GBP 3 and 5 million. At the evening session, Christie’s will be offering 114 lots.

In terms of value, according to Artprice’s auction data, 18th Century Italian paintings have gained 8.4% since the start of the year and 60.2% over the past ten years..