The Grand Canal, Venice, with the Rialto Bridge

Several versions of this composition by Albotto exist, with different boats and figures, for example that in the Museo di Capodimonte, Naples (L. Salerno, I Pittori di Vedute in Italia (1580-1830), Rome, 1991, p. 210, fig. 61.1); another version was sold at Sotheby's, 11 December 1991, lot 15. The composition is clearly inspired by Albotto's wife's first husband, Michele Marieschi, whose picture of this view in the Bristol City Art Gallery is one of his few signed works (R. Toledano, Michele Marieschi, Milan, 1988, p. 79, no. V.9.1, and p. 26, fig. 11). The picture sold in these Rooms, 23 April 1993, lot 56 as 'Francesco Albotto' (£60,000) is now generally accepted to be by Marieschi (R. Toledano, Michele Marieschi, Milan, 1995, no. V11c; F. Montecuccoli degli Erri, F. Pedrocco, Michele Marieschi, Milan, 1999, no. 117). Another painting sold in these Rooms, 8 July 1988, lot 115, is attributed to Marieschi by Toledano (op. cit., p. 80, no. V9.2) and to Albotto by Dario Succi (catalogue of the exhibition, Marieschi tra Canaletto e Guardi, Castello di Gorizia, 30 June-15 October 1989, pp. 183, 195 and 197, and p. 192, fig. 235).