Item Report
Venetian Watercolor Print of Basilica di San Marco by Attilio Simonetti
By: Attilio Simonetti (attributed, after)
Style: 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Souvenir Art
Origin: Italy
Materials: Watercolor print on paper, gilt wood frame
Age: Circa 1930-1950
Condition: Very Good (minor wear to frame, print clean and unfaded)
Value: $60–$150
Maker's Marks / Writing: Signed in print at lower right: 'Attilio Simonetti.' Captioned below print: 'Venezia - Basilica di S. Marco dalla Torre dei Mori.'
Date: 2025-06-23 18:04:44.524906
Description:
A framed watercolor print depicting the Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica) in Venice, Italy, as seen from the Torre dei Mori. The image shows the ornate Byzantine architecture and bustling piazza, with a signature by 'Attilio Simonetti' on the lower right. Below the image, the title reads in Italian: 'Venezia - Basilica di S. Marco dalla Torre dei Mori.' This is likely an early to mid-20th century reproduction print, given the paper and framing style.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
This piece is a decorative reproduction, not an original watercolor, by or after Attilio Simonetti—a known Italian painter and illustrator active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Prints like this were commonly made as souvenirs or collectible images for tourists. The quality of the reproduction is good, and the subject matter—Venice and its iconic basilica—is widely appealing to collectors and decorators. Its value is mainly decorative, with modest auction results for such prints.
Individual Images:
- N/A (Only a general view of the print and matting is provided; no close-ups of corners
- back or details are shown.)
Provenance:
No provenance documents are visible in the image.
Condition:
Very Good (minor wear to frame, print clean and unfaded)
Identification Score: 95%
The title, visual subject, and signature all clearly identify this as a print of Simonetti's work showing St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, viewed from the Torre dei Mori. The format, style, and framing indicate a mid-20th-century souvenir print.
Authenticity Score: 30%
While this is an authentic vintage print, it is not an original watercolor but rather a high-quality reproduction. There are no visible pencil marks or washes, and the uniformity of color and texture suggest mechanical printing. As such, its authenticity as an artwork is limited to that of an authorized or typical period print.
Image Memory Note
Early/mid-20th century Venetian print by Simonetti, souvenir type, good overall condition, likely mass-produced.
Keywords
Venetian print, Basilica di San Marco, Attilio Simonetti, Italian art, 20th century, Venice, souvenir art, Grand Tour, Italy
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