Canaletto

Canaletto, real name Giovanni Antonio Canal, was born in Venice in 1697 and went on to become a favourite of British art collectors.

"Seldom does a true masterpiece such as this - particularly by a painter as important as Canaletto - appear on the art market," he said.

A painting of Venice by the Italian artist Canaletto which was once owned by the UK's first prime minister has been sold for a record fee.

"This extraordinary painting of the grandest and most familiar view of Venice, by the city's most recognisable painter, dates to Canaletto's finest period and is as notable for its illustrious provenance as much as for its impeccable condition."

It formerly came with a partnering pendant, entitled Grand Canal from Palazzo Balbi to the Rialto, which was later sold at Sotheby's in London in 2005 for £18.6m - which was the previous record auction price for a Canaletto.