An imaginary view of a Venetian lagoon with a fortress by the shore

Related to two pictures of the same composition, one in a private collection, the other formerly in Sir Vincent Korda's collection (A. Morassi, Guardi, I dipinti, Venice, 1973 (reprinted in 1984), nos. 822-3, figs. 747-8). The first picture is signed. It is dated by Antonio Morassi to circa 1750-5, the early years of Guardi's career as a vedutista. The second picture is probably slightly later. The composition is inspired by Carlevaris' picture at Windsor Castle. Another drawing very close in composition to the present one is illustrated in A. Morassi, Guardi, I disegni, Venice, 1973 (reprinted in 1984), no. 612, fig. 599.