A View of Valletta from the Grand Harbor, taken from Castel S. Angelo

At least three sets of eight views of Malta are known to have been painted by Pullicino, the earliest being 1749 (see D.M. Boswell, Malta's Canaletto, Alberto Pullicino: a 'painter after nature' and his circle', Apollo, CXXXII, no. 346, Dec. 1990, pp. 392-8). All painted from specific viewpoints, most of which can be identified today, they are panoramic perspectives from human eye level. The present lot appears to be part of no known set, but the recent appearance of views of Fort Ricasoli from Valetta and Marsamxett Harbour from Manoel, sold at Christie's, London, April 23, 1993, lots 54 and 55, along with single pictures in several French collections suggest that Pullicino repeated his success with further sets.