Canaletto Sale Shatters Expectations

“A painting by Italian master Canaletto has set a world record for the artist after being sold for £11m – twice its expected price – at auction in London. The painting shows the Doge of Venice’s barge, the Bucintoro, with crowds on what is thought to be Ascension Day, when the Doge blessed the city. An anonymous telephone bidder bought the work, which had been owned by a Portuguese billionaire.”