Follower of Giovanni Antonio Canal, called Canaletto (Italian 1697-1768)/View of the Grand Canal, Venice/The Bucintoro returning to the Molo on Ascension Day/oil on canvas, 73.75cm x 125.75cm/Note: this painting has traditionally been attributed to the British painter William James (active 1730-1780), who was one of Canaletto's studio assistants on his 1754 trip to England. The paintings he produced in his master's style found a ready market among wealthy clients on the Grand Tour. It is one of several very similar versions which have appeared at auction, notably at Christie's New York on 15th April 2008 and, most recently, at Hampel in Munich on 2nd April 2020; both were catalogued as being by William James. The composition is based on a Canaletto originally owned by Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, and recorded as hanging at 10 Downing Street in 1736