Sotheby's Francesco Guardi - $ 44 million
 

Painting by Italian artist Francesco Guardi XVIII century "View of the Rialto Bridge" sold for $ 44 million (26 million pounds), according to the website of auction house Sotheby's.

The canvas, which is considered one of the best works of Guardi was the top lot at an auction of old masters, which was held on Wednesday, July 6 in London. Preliminary assessment of the picture was $ 40 million. The buyer wished to remain anonymous.

The painting "View of the Rialto Bridge," according to Sotheby's, became the most expensive work of art sold at international auction in 2011. Also, the painting was sold by the owner of record of paintings Guardi.

The picture was painted in the 1760s and is one of four works Guardi in a large format (size 120 on canvas 203.7 centimeters). The canvas depicts the famous Venetian Rialto Bridge - the oldest bridge across the Grand Canal. The work was exhibited only twice, in public and almost all the time since the establishment was kept in private collections.

Other top lots of the auction is much more modest results: the picture of Antonio da Correggio Italian "Madonna and Child with the infant John the Baptist" was sold for $ 6 million, and the work of Anthony van Dyck "Portrait Carmelita" - for $ 1 million.

At the auction was first exhibited painting by Pieter Brueghel the Younger "The Cabinet of the village counsel." For painting expected to gain 1.9 million dollars, but it has not found a buyer.

A total of 73 tenders were put up pictures, for which the organizers of the auction helped out $ 76 million. Managed to sell 68 percent of lots.