$20 Million Old Master Painting Sets Record At
Christie's
Canaletto's spectacular view of "The Bucintoro at the Molo
on Ascension Day," which dominated the staircase of the hôtel
particulier in Lisbon that financier, entrepreneur,
philanthropist and benefactor to Portugal Antonio Champalimaud
restored with such dedication, dominated the July 6-7 auction at
Christie's.
The painting realized $20,086,024 and set a world record price
for the artist at auction.
The superb painting by Canaletto showed the view of the Molo,
with the Doge's barge, the Bucintoro, prominently moored
and was produced on a scale that makes it one of the most
monumental Venetian views of the artist's London period. While
several variations of the theme exist, it is unique in its
vertical format and viewpoint.
