Circle of Francesco Tironi (Italian, 1745-1797)

A view of Piazza San Marco, Venice, looking from the Bacino towards the Campanile and Biblioteca Marciana
oil on canvas
97 x 131cm

The sense of drama, interplay of light and shadow and representation of the figures are comparable with certain works associated with Francesco Tironi, an enigmatic painter and draughtsman of 18th century Venice and a contemporary of Canaletto and Guardi who both influenced him.

Condition Report

The painting is executed in oil on a canvas support with an open weave, which has been lined onto a fine weave canvas support. The canvas tension is good and the picture is in plane. The paint layers have suffered from flaking and abrasion in the past but are generally stable and secure. Areas of overpaint are present, mainly in the foreground, applied quite broadly and covering original paint below. The varnish is poor having yellowed with age and in areas appears matte and patchy in appearance. There are white spots and matte patches across the surface.