Lot Essay
This view of the Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo is an unusually large composition by the artist traditionally known as the Master of the Langmatt Foundation Views. The eponymous works in the Langmatt Foundation, Baden, comprise a set of nine pictures (each approximately 46 x 73 cm.) and a set of four smaller views (approximately 25 x 38 cm; see the exhibition catalogue, Mythos Venedig, Baden, June-October 1994, pp. 62-117).
Dario Succi, however, has recently suggested that this anonymous master may be identified with Apollonio Domenichini, who enrolled in the Fraglia in 1757. Succi discovered his name in the correspondence between the Venetian art dealer Giovanni Maria Sasso and the English minister, Sir John Strange (D. Succi, 'Apollonio Domenichini: il Maestro della Fondazione Langmatt', in Da Canaletto a Zuccarelli, catalogue of the exhibition, Udine, 2003, pp. 103-7). Working in the 1740s and 1750s, as is clear from topographical details, Domenichini no doubt benefited from Canaletto's English sojourn, and his vedute proved extremely popular with Grand Tourists.
Dario Succi, however, has recently suggested that this anonymous master may be identified with Apollonio Domenichini, who enrolled in the Fraglia in 1757. Succi discovered his name in the correspondence between the Venetian art dealer Giovanni Maria Sasso and the English minister, Sir John Strange (D. Succi, 'Apollonio Domenichini: il Maestro della Fondazione Langmatt', in Da Canaletto a Zuccarelli, catalogue of the exhibition, Udine, 2003, pp. 103-7). Working in the 1740s and 1750s, as is clear from topographical details, Domenichini no doubt benefited from Canaletto's English sojourn, and his vedute proved extremely popular with Grand Tourists.