$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.