Francesco Guardi (1712-1793)
Venice, the Bacino di San Marco with the Piazzetta and the Doge’s Palace
Vermeer – Saint Praxedis – © Christie’s Images Limited 2014
A view of Venice by Francesco Guardi was the top lot at Christie’s evening auction of Old Master & British Paintings in London on July 8. Venice, the Bacino di San Marco with the Piazzetta and the Doge’s Palace made £9,882,500 in a sale which realised £44,986,000. There were 145 registered bidders from 27 countries across 5 continents. The Guardi, from the Baron Henri de Rochschild collection, set the second highest price for a work by the artist at auction. Vermeer’s St. Praxedis sold for £6,242,500. This is the earliest dated picture by Vermeer and one of only two of his 37 known works remaining in private hands. It was from the collection of Barbara Piasecka Johnson.
(See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for February 27 and June 9, 2014)