National Museum Wales Acquires Important Guardi Painting

Francesco Guardi. View of the Palazzo Loredan dell'Ambasciatore on the Grand Canal, Venice (detail), oil on panel, 24.3 x 35.5 cm.

CARDIFF.- Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales has purchased an important painting by the 18th century Italian artist Francesco Guardi. View of the Palazzo Loredan dell'Ambasciatore on the Grand Canal, Venice (oil on panel, 24.3 x 35.5cm) was bought with the Art Fund´s help.

This significant work, accepted in lieu of Inheritance Tax by H M Government and allocated to Amgueddfa Cymru, is an important addition to the Museum’s outstanding 18th century collections. It supplements several other depictions of Venice by artists such as Canaletto, Monet, Sickert and Whistler.

Stephen Deuchar, Director of the Art Fund, said: "We're very pleased to have given £20,000 to National Museum Wales to help buy this significant Venetian painting. Art Fund members have supported the Museum to　make some major acquisitions in recent years – most recently the arresting Welsh Landscape with Two Women Knitting by William Dyce. We’re delighted that this beautiful 18th century work by Guardi is now part of Wales’ permanent collection, and we thank our members for their ongoing support."

Oliver Fairclough, Keeper of Art, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales said: "This painting is the only known view of this significant Venetian Palazzo by the artist and is relatively unusual as a work that would seem to represent a specific commission. Despite its small scale, this exceptional and well-preserved panel is an excellent example of Guardi’s mature work."

The painting will undergo minor cleaning before being put on display later in the year. CARDIFF.- Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales has purchased an important painting by the 18th century Italian artist Francesco Guardi. View of the Palazzo Loredan dell'Ambasciatore on the Grand Canal, Venice (oil on panel, 24.3 x 35.5cm) was bought with the Art Fund´s help.

This significant work, accepted in lieu of Inheritance Tax by H M Government and allocated to Amgueddfa Cymru, is an important addition to the Museum’s outstanding 18th century collections. It supplements several other depictions of Venice by artists such as Canaletto, Monet, Sickert and Whistler.

Stephen Deuchar, Director of the Art Fund, said: "We're very pleased to have given £20,000 to National Museum Wales to help buy this significant Venetian painting. Art Fund members have supported the Museum to　make some major acquisitions in recent years – most recently the arresting Welsh Landscape with Two Women Knitting by William Dyce. We’re delighted that this beautiful 18th century work by Guardi is now part of Wales’ permanent collection, and we thank our members for their ongoing support."

Oliver Fairclough, Keeper of Art, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales said: "This painting is the only known view of this significant Venetian Palazzo by the artist and is relatively unusual as a work that would seem to represent a specific commission. Despite its small scale, this exceptional and well-preserved panel is an excellent example of Guardi’s mature work."

The painting will undergo minor cleaning before being put on display later in the year.

Francesco Guardi. View of the Palazzo Loredan dell'Ambasciatore on the Grand Canal, Venice, oil on panel, 24.3 x 35.5 cm.