Wallace Collection reattributes painting to be the earliest known work by a teenage Bellotto.
Among the renowned Old Master paintings at the Wallace Collection in London is an important group of 27 18th-century views of Venice, known as vedute, by Canaletto (1697-1768) and his followers, including Francesco Guardi (1712-1793).
Following a multi-year conservation and research project, the paintings have now been restored and a new catalogue, Canaletto and Guardi: Views of Venice at the Wallace Collection, has been published, presenting the paintings in their renewed splendour. Thanks to this conservation and research, the Wallace Collection is delighted to announce the attribution of The Grand Canal with San Simeone Piccolo to Bernardo Bellotto (1722-1780), Canaletto’s nephew and pupil.
This view of Venice is taken from the Grand Canal, looking north-east towards the district of Cannaregio. The church of San Simeone Piccolo can be seen on the right and the church of Santa Lucia (now demolished) is just in view on the left. When the 4th Marquess of Hertford bought the picture at Christie's in 1859, it was considered a major work by Canaletto. However today, due to unique diagonal brushwork, the placement of the boats upon the water and the use of a cool palette which defined his later work, it is attributed to Canaletto’s student and nephew, Bernardo Bellotto, who painted it under his uncle’s guidance when he was only 16.
The new attribution is supported by the work of Canaletto and Venetian views expert, Charles Beddington, who says: “The painting is a remarkable achievement for such a young artist. It shows Bellotto’s characteristic cold light and, at this point in his budding career, his hesitancy to paint faces, which is why many of the figures look away from the viewer. Consistent with his other works, it shows the extraordinary talent of Canaletto’s most talented pupil.”
His greatest paintings can be seen in the National Gallery, London and now at the Wallace Collection, Manchester Square, London.
Further Information: The Wallace Collection