(Venice 1688–1782) A view of San Clemente in Venice, pen and brown ink, watercolour, on paper, 20 x 29.2 cm, watermark: a star on a staff, browned, stained, slightly rubbed, mounted, unframed, (Sch)

Provenance: Collector’s stamp Fürst Nikolaus Esterházy (Lugt 1965). Antonio Visentini (Venice 1688-1782) was an architect, painter and engraver who became famous with his series "Canaletto's views of Venice" (Urbis Venetiarum Prospectus Celebriores ex Antonii Canal Tabulis XL. Aere Expressi ab Antonio Visentini) which was published several times throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. As an architect he was active for the English Consul Joseph Smith in Venice, for whom he executed numerous studies of the Basilica di San Marco, which were published by Pasquali in the volume „Iconografie dell Ducal Basilica dell’Evangelista Marco“ in1726. 1738-1739 Francesco Giucciardini edited the work „Della Istoria d’Italia“ comprising five volumes. Visentini's drawings are kept in the graphic collection of Windsor Castle today and are part of the album „Visentini Anonius – Opera ab ipsomet incisa“ (Royal Library, vol. 147). The album contains fine executed studies in pen and brown ink for the five islands of the lagoon. The present drawing could have been executed in connection with this series. Literature: Dario Succi, Canaletto e Visentini tra Venezia e Londra, exh. cat. Gallerie d’arte Moderna, Venice 1986.