Antonio Joli

Probably commissioned by Daniel Lascelles (1714–1784), Goldsborough Hall, Knaresborough;

Thence by descent to the Earls of Harewood, Goldsborough Hall, Knaresborough;

Thence by inheritance to Angela Estree Lyssod D'Arcy Lascelles (1919–2007), Ascot;

By whom anonymously sold ('The Property of a Lady'), London, Christie's, 8 December 2004, lot 90, for £94,850;

Where acquired by the present owner.

T. Borenius, Catalogue of the Pictures and Drawings at Harewood House, and elsewhere in the collection of the Earl of Harewood, Oxford 1936, p. 9, no. 12 (as school of Canaletto);

R. Toledano, Antonio Joli, Turin 2006, pp. 32 and 207, no. V.XI, reproduced.

This theatrical capriccio of the Bacino di San Marco, Venice, seen through a vaulted loggia is an impressive example of the sweeping panoramas that established Antonio Joli as one of the most acclaimed and sought-after vedutisti of the 18^th century. It depicts to the left the Punta della Dogana, one of the points of arrival into the city of Venice and accommodates in its broad perspectival sweep a multitude of Venetian landmarks, including to the right the Palladian Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore, and further in the distance the Riva degli Schiavoni. The inscription 'M Lascelle / Lond' on one the crates in the middle foreground suggests the work was painted during Joli's London period for British merchant and politican Daniel Lascelles (1714–1784). The work remained in the Lascelles family for over 200 years until sold in 2004.

Joli painted this view on a number of occasions, notably for Philip Dormer Stanhope (1694–1773), 4th Earl of Chesterfield,¹ and the British impresario John James Heidegger (1666–1749),² attesting to the artist's popularity amongst British patrons. A further variant of this view was sold in these Rooms in December 2024 for £360,000.³

¹ Oil on canvas, shaped; 118 x 124.5 cm.; Painted as one of a pair of overdoors for the French Room at Chesterfield House, London; Toledano 2006, p. 189, no. V.I.2. reproduced; Sold from a distinguished Parisian private collection, London, Christie’s, 3 July 2012, lot 33, for £623,650 (as one of a pair); https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5584811

² Oil on canvas; 59 x 101 cm.; Toledano 2006, pp. 54 and 188, no. V.I.1, reproduced in colour pl. XVII.

³ 'Property from a Corporate Collection', London, Sotheby's, 4 December 2024, lot 19; https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/old-master-19th-century-paintings-evening-auction-l24036/venice-the-bacino-di-san-marco-looking-east-with