No.14 

Francesco Guardi (Venice 1712 - 1793)
Capriccio of an island in the Venetian lagoon, with a view of the Tower of Morghera, oil on canvas, 21 x 30.5 cm, framed, (Wo)

Certificate: Prof. Egidio Martini: “A secure and brilliant work by Franceso Guardi, one of the artist’s most typical creations, executed with a light, delicate brush, with each element dissolving in the tender and brilliant atmosphere. It is a vision that evokes the lagoon of Venice more than any other place, a vision depicting one of the countless islands and a white sail fading on the horizon. This capriccio is one of the most spiritual and immediate works by Guardi, and a composition of great homogeneity.”
Dario Succi, 31 March 2005: “A most beautiful and delicate capriccio of a Venetian lagoon landscape by Francesco Guardi that I’m going to include in my forthcoming monograph.”
The velvety shadows in the foreground blend in with the greyish blue and silvery hues in the background. The looming structure in the distance resembles the Tower of Maghera and is reminiscent of the famous drawing by Canaletto dating from 1745. The painting fascinates, in spite of its small size, because of the monumental effect of its compositional elements, such as the pyramid, tree, figures, and tower in the far distance. Due to its stylistic features, lyrical character, and soft, typically Venetian melancholy, this painting has to be assigned to the artist’s maturity around 1785.
Provenance: private collection Madrid

estimate €70.000,- to €90.000,-

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