A painting of Venice by the Italian artist Canaletto which was once owned by the UK's first prime minister has been sold for ...

The 18th-century masterpiece captures Venice in full splendour on Ascension Day, with the Doge’s golden barge - the Bucintoro ...

The Italian master's previous record was $24.6 million for 'Grand Canal from Palazzo Balbi to the Rialto,' which sold at ...

Canaletto’s sublime view of Venice, which once hung in the offices of Robert Walpole, the U.K.’s first prime minister, set a ...

Canaletto's luminous Venice, the Return of the Bucintoro on Ascension Day, has sold for a record price of £31.9 million at ...

A view of Venice by Canaletto has just set a new auction record for the artist, selling for £27.5m (£31.9m with fees) at Christie’s in London.. Venice, the Return of the Bucintoro on Ascension ...

Of course, Canaletto’s Venice is only part of the story: he hints at the city’s decay in the exposed bricks and dirt and vegetation tumbling from the columns of the piazzetta.

People look the painting of Canaletto, 'Venice, The Return of the Bucintoro on Ascension Day' at Christie's auction house ...

★ ★ CANALETTO AND THE ART OF VENICE. Directed by David Bickerstaff. Written by Bickerstaff and Phil Grabsky. At Museum of Fine Arts, various dates, Jan. 3-25. 87 minutes.

Canaletto, Venice, the Return of the Bucintoro on Ascension Day (1731 to 1732). Photo: Christie’s.

“Venice: The Doge's Palace and the Riva degli Schiavoni,” a 1730s painting by Canaletto. (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/Getty Images) Review by John Jeffries Martin Visitors ...

Canaletto's Venice: a city for pleasure seekers. Canaletto, the Venetian painter beloved of those on a Grand Tour, captured his thrilling city in all its decadent splendour, says Nick Trend.