Stephen and I are crossing the bridge on our way to draw another church. The light is failing and I want Stephen to hurry but he has decided to ignore me and takes photographs of the view down to Santa Maria della Salute instead. He is in a frenzy of excitement and the view is just right he says. I eventually put my arm round him and, in order to distract him, suggest we race each other down the steps. It is, of course, a view much celebrated by Canaletto and Stephen photographs only what really interests him. On our return to the hotel, I tell Stephen how much I am looking forward to the development of his film and, in particular, the Accademia view. Would he draw it for me now? He promptly sits down at the writing-desk in my bedroom and produces this view from memory.
Open Edition Prints of the Original Drawing Birds eye view of Salute in Venice, created and hand drawn by the artist.