Francesco GUARDI (Venice, 1712 – 1793) Venetian capriccio: figures under an archway Oil on canvas Venetian capriccio: figures under an archway, oil on canvas, by F. Guardi 7.28 x 5.51 in. 18.5 x 14 cm Provenance: Collection of Jeanne Charlotte Louise Marthe de Rothschild, Baroness Leonino (1874–1929) and her husband Abraham David Leonino (1867–1911); Passed to her brother by inheritance; Henri de Rothschild Collection (1872–1947); Then passed down through the family; Private European collection Exhibitions: Tiepolo and Guardi in French Collections, Paris, Galerie Cailleux, November 1952, p. 68, no. 102 Bibliography: Antonio Morassi, *Guardi I dipinti*, Venice, 1973, reprinted in 1984, vol. I, p. 451, no. 758, reprinted in vol. II, fig. 693 Dario Succi, Francesco Guardi, Milan, 2021, Vol. II, *Catalogue of Unpublished Paintings and Drawings*, p. 205, no. 284 This small oil on canvas embodies all the characteristics of Francesco Guardi’s *capricci*. The scene unfolds around the corner of an alleyway, created by a slightly dilapidated archway which opens on one side onto a hidden staircase and on the other onto the decorated façade of a building. Alongside the columns, niches and entablatures, vigorously sketched figures inhabit this urban space. We would like to thank Mr Charles Beddington for kindly confirming the authenticity of this work, based on digital photographs, in an email dated 1 June 2026. Francesco GUARDI (Venice, 1712 – 1793) 18.5 x 14 cm