Sotheby’s tried to get a little frisson from Venice today with the announcement of this Monet for their June Impressionist & Modern sale in London:
Coinciding with the public opening of the Venice Biennale tomorrow, Sotheby’s today announces that on 19 June 2013 it will offer an exceptionally rare and important view of Venice by Claude Monet. Estimated at US$ 22,650,000 / 30,200,000 (£15-20m), The Contarini Palace will be the star lot of the summer sales season in London. Painted by Monet during a three-month trip to the city in 1908 – the year of one of the first Venice Biennales – the painting dates from the peak of Monet’s career.