Capriccio with a ruined arch, a tower beyond and a seaport with boats and small vessels, a domed church in the distance; and Capriccio with an arsenal, several shipwrights at work in a boatyard, boats and a town with towers beyond

These capricci are later and simplified variants of the signed pendants sold in these Rooms from the estate of Countess Margareta Douglas (5 July 2011, lot 52). A total of five variants of this pair are recorded by Morassi (op. cit., 1973, nos. 929-33), and similar ruined arches occupy a pivotal place in a series of later capricci by the artist (ibid., nos. 93-92).

Both compositions appear to be loosely derived from two of a set of four canvases by Luca Carlevarijs formerly in the collection of Joseph Smith, British Consul in Venice, and sold to King George III in 1763 (London, Royal Collection). Guardi adapts elements of Carlevarijs' compositions, such as suppressing the scale of the ruined arch, thus giving greater prominence to the tower on the left. At least two related drawings by Guardi survive, demonstrating how the artist developed his designs (see A. Morassi, Tutti i disegni di Antonio, Francesco e Giacomo Guardi, Venice, 1975, pp. 184 and 186, nos. 612 and 630).

Vincent Korda was a renowned Hungarian artist, Oscar-winning art director and discerning collector whose painting collection comprised such eminent works as Caravaggio's Boy bitten by a Lizard (London, National Gallery).