Serenissima

I mentioned in the last post my need to keep a bit of cash handy for an upcoming auction, which duly took place on Sunday, at Alex Cooper Auctioneers in Towson, Maryland.

There were two pictures by Edward Seago that caught my eye and the one above was what I bid on. It was wildly off my radar, as I had feared and achieved a price of USD75,000, considerably above my bid. Seago painted a number of similar vistas of the Grand Canal, but none as good as this. As I have mentioned previously here, and here, he is one of my favourite C20th artists, but sadly some of his work is outside of my current price range.

There was another Seago Venice picture in the same auction:

but I did not especially love it. It too went for ten times its estimate, at USD60,000. There is a danger with paintings of Venice that they become slightly boring, because it must be the most painted city in the world. But when you find good works, they are truly stunning. I would be inclined to place the Grand Canal picture in the first category, and that of the Piazetta, in the second.

Ah well, nothing ventured etc. In a couple of weeks we shall celebrate an anniversary, and given its silvery hues, this rendition of the Grand Canal would have made a fitting tribute. But so would the Holy Grail, and acquiring that isn't going to happen either.

The other Venice

Bangkok used to be referred to as "the Venice of the East" because of its canals, or "klongs", most of which are now sealed. The first three images are of the Royal Barge Procession which marked the 60th Anniversary of the Accession of the King of Thailand in 2006, and which on this and other occasions, takes place on the appropriately named "River of Kings", the Chao Phyra river, upon which the city was founded in 1782 by the first monarch of the existing Chakri dynasty, when the capital of Siam moved from neighbouring Thonburi, and prior to that from Ayutthaya.

With my recent references to Venice, I thought it might be interesting to share a comparison, which is more easily discernable in the Canaletto "A regatta on the Grand Canal" c.1733-4, from the Royal Collection (of Queen Elizabeth II), which includes 50 paintings and 150 drawings by Canaletto, purchased by George III in 1762, from the British merchant banker and later consul, Joseph Smith.

A different perspective

Apart from its justifiable acknowledgement as one of the great architectural wonders of the world, Venice is probably the city most painted by artists, with results both good and bad.

Whilst I enjoy Canaletto's many perspectives, these two by John Bratby RA (1928-1992) are for sale at Christie's on 12 December, and worthy of mention. Top: From a gondola, Venice estimated at GBP8-12k. Lower: Canal Bridge, Venice estimated at GBP8-12k.

Apart from the stunning architecture, interiors and art, the food, if you avoid the obvious traps, rarely disappoints. One evening after dinner, and in a pliable mood from good vino, we were persuaded by a gondolier to take a journey through the darkened canals, which however corny it may sound, was a truly romantic experience. And yes, he sang O sole mio too.

That sinking feeling

Chiesa dei Miracoli

Basilica della Salute

Punta della Dogana

Venice, one of the great architectural wonders of our time, has experienced its worst flooding in more than 20 years with 95% of the city submerged, and tourists in St Mark's Square left thigh deep in icy water. Vide:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article5266829.ece

Images: hand printed cards by Rosario Morra