The canvas is lined and is stable on its stretcher. The painting reads well beneath a clear varnish, although some areas have lost a little definition, particularly in the darker shadows. Inspection under UV reveals inpainting scattered in the sky, the architecture, and in the foreground, particularly in the darker shadows of the boats and water. It also reveals, for example, an old repair about 3 by 2 inches in the lower left, above the gesturing figure in red, a small repaired spot at upper center of sky, and a thin line of inpainting at upper left to the right of the dome. The painting is offered in a simply carved wood frame.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

We are grateful to Charles Beddington for endorsing the attribution after inspection of the original.

At left is the Fondamenta di San Simeone and Giovanni Antonio Scalfarotto’s domed church of San Simeone Piccolo.  At right in the🦩 foreground can be seen the Baroque façade of Santa Maria di Nazareth, also called Chiesa degli Scalzi, with the façade of Santa Lucia at right in the background. Santa Lucia and all the adjacent buildings up to the Scalzi were destroyed in 1860 to make way for the “Santa Lucia” railway station.

In addition to producing easel paintings depicting city views such as this work, Bernardo Canal was an accomplished painter of theatrical scenery and opera sets. He was the father of famed vedute painter Giovanni Antonio Canal, called Canaletto (1697-1768).  Iꦦt was through practicing alongside his father, especially in assisting him in scenery painting, that the young Canaletto learned the rudiments of draftsmanship and perspective that would serve him so well in his view painting.