This monumental, theatrical masterpiece is unquestionably the most spectacular view of Venice painted by Canaletto in England (1746-1755). When the painting last appeared at auction at Christie's 20 years ago as part of the Champalimaud collection, it justifiably broke all previous auction records for the artist. Venice, the Bucintoro at the Molo on Ascension Day will lead the 4 February 2026 Old Master sales in New York, with a pre-auction view in New York 29 January-3 February 2026. Daring in composition and dazzling both in its brushwork and colourful palette, this magnificent painting was commissioned in around 1754 by the King family (later Earls of Lovelace), in whose possession it remained for almost 200 years. Other canvases from the same decorative scheme are in private collections and museums; including Washington (National Gallery of Art) and Boston (Museum of Fine Arts). The present picture shows the Feast of Ascension Day, a key date in the Venetian calendar, and is a subject to which Canaletto frequently returned as it enabled him to bring the pomp and ceremony of the Venetian lagoon to life. This is Canaletto's last known rendition of the theme from this viewpoint - his first was painted for Britain's first Prime Minister, Robert Walpole (1676–1745), 1st Earl of Orford, sold at Christie's, London, in July 2025 for a world record price of GBP 31,935,000 ($43,851,545).
The Global Head of Christie's Old Masters Department, Andrew Fletcher, said: “It is thrilling to handle the sale of Canaletto's theatrical masterpiece which, through its scale, colour and composition, is one of the most visually powerful paintings he ever produced. That it is so impeccably preserved – its paint surface almost as pristine as when it left the artist's easel – makes it all the more exciting for today's collectors, who increasingly seek the very best of the best.”
Venice, the Bucintoro at the Molo on Ascension Day will be the leading lot in what promises to be an especially strong Classics Week at Christie's Rockefeller Center in February. This series of sales will include a number of important single-owner collections coming to the market for the first time, as well as a strong various-owner sales series, in total offering paintings, sculptures, drawings and antiquities.
PIETER COECKE VAN AELST I (AALST 1502-1550 BRUSSELS)
Mary Magdalene, seated in an interior, before an open window
EstimateUSD 500,000 - 800,000
PIETER BRUEGHEL THE YOUNGER (BRUSSELS 1564-1638 ANTWERP)
A village scene with the Flight into Egypt
EstimateUSD 1,000,000 - 1,500,000JACOMETTO VENEZIANO (FLORENCE 1472-1497)
Portrait of a prelate, bust-length, in a black gown and beretta
EstimateUSD 500,000 - 700,000ARTEMISIA GENTILESCHI (ROME 1593 – AFTER 1654 NAPLES)
Self-Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria
EstimateUSD 2,500,000 - 3,500,000ALESSANDRO FILIPEPI, CALLED SANDRO BOTTICELLI (FLORENCE 1445-1510) AND STUDIO
The Madonna and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist
EstimateUSD 4,000,000 - 6,000,000JEAN SIMÉON CHARDIN (PARIS 1699-1779)
The Diligent Mother (‘La Mère laborieuse’)
EstimateUSD 1,000,000 - 2,000,000ÉLISABETH-LOUISE VIGÉE LE BRUN (PARIS 1755-1842)
Portrait of a young boy of the Caillot family ; and Portrait of Augustine Catherine Caillot
EstimateUSD 500,000 - 700,000
