Supposed Self-portrait of Canaletto (Venice 1697 - Venice 1768)

British (English) School. Oil painting on panel, Supposed Self-portrait of Canaletto (1697–1768), British (English) School, early 19th century. Within a feigned oval of stone, turned half right, eyes front, seated behind a table and in front of a circular stone-framed window opening on the Thames, with St Paul's Cathedral on far side. Wearing a green coat with gold frogging, and a plum-coloured fur-lined robe. With his right hand he is drawing the dome of St Paul's; with his left he points towards the background view. On the table, left, a palette and brushes; on the back of the chair a blank shield, supported by a lion and a unicorn. Attributed to Antonio Canaletto (1697-1768). Italian C18. Inscribed above 'Geo Antonio Da Canale. Origine Civis Venetus' Inscribed below 'Il Celebre Canalet'. Label on frame 'Antonio Canaletto 1697-1768, Self Portrait'. It is possible this painting was intended to be engraved, perhaps as a frontispiece to some projected series of engravings of Canaletto's views of London; the laudatory nature of the inscription supports this. Since the 1830's Christie's sale the painting has been called a self portrait, although there is doubt about this. Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire (Accredited Museum)