Scott painted this view on three different occasions between 1742–55,¹ and it seem likely that his depictions of the York buildings water tower served as a model for Canaletto's own two paintings and one drawing made from almost the same viewpoint.² The author of the present work closely follows the topography of Scott's paintings (Canaletto's view point is a fraction nearer midstream than Scott's), but it would seem very likely that he also knew of Canaletto's versions as the motif of the furled sail to the left of the water tower is of Canaletto's creation, and does not feature in Scott's version.

1. R. Kingzett, 'A Catalogue of the Works of Samuel Scott', in Walpole Society, no. 48, London 1982, p. 54, cat. nos. A, B, C, cat. no. C reproduced pl. 18b.
2. W.G. Constable, Canaletto, Oxford 1976, vol. 🐼II, p. 417, cat. no. 427, reproduced vol. I, pl. 427 and vol. II p. 576, cat. no. 747, reproduced vol. I, pl. 747.