Canaletto's Venice, a View of the Churches of the Redentore and San Giacomo, with a Moored Man-of-War, Gondolas and Barges, is the star feature of Sotheby's Important Old Master Paintings & Sculpture sale in New York next month.
The work, painted between 1747 and 1755, is estimated to sell for between $5m and $7m at the January 26 auction.
The canvas was originally conceived as one of a pair. The other was sold at Sotheby's in 1960.
 Simone Martini’s The Virgin Annunciate has a $4m high-end estimate |
Both views display the Venetian painter's customary attention to detail, and additionally demonstrate his strength in the depiction of motion.
An important but little-known work painted on a large sheet of copper by Jan van Huysum, the leading Dutch still life painter of the 18th century, will also feature prominently at the auction.
Still Life of Roses, Tulips, Peonies and Other Flowers in a Sculpted Stone Vase, together with a Bird's Nest on a Stone Pedestal before a Niche, comes to the sale with a $4m to $6m estimate.
The Virgin Annunciate, an exceptionally beautiful panel by Simone Martini from the early 14th century will also be on offer. It has a $3m to $4m estimate.
While the high-prices may be off-putting for many art collectors, opportunities exist to own works by the masters for significantly more manageable sums.
Earlier this year Salvador Dali's Portrait de Paul Eluard sold for £13.48m ($20.94m) at Sotheby's - a record for Dali.
Yet we have a superb original sketch by the Spanish surrealist available for you today for just £18,000 (approx. $28,000).
