We are grateful to Dr. Dario Succi for confirming the attribution on the basis of a photograph; he dates the picture c. 1785-90.

Two variants of the composition are known: one was sold from the collection of Alice Tully, Christie's, New York, 11 Jan. 1995, lot 42, and the other was formerly with David Koetser, Zurich (A. Morassi, Guardi, Venice, 1973, I, p. 444, no. 715; II, fig. 668, where dated c. 1780-90). Preparatory drawings for the composition are recorded by Morassi as in a Milan private collection, and in the Museo Correr, Venice (A. Morassi, Guardi, Tutti i Disegni, Venice, 1975, p. 165, nos. 490 and 480, figs. 486 and 489).

A version by an imitator was sold in these Rooms, 16 June 1967, lot 122.