Links (in Constable, revised Links, Giovanni Antonio Canal 1697-1768, p. 267) makes the point that there is no record of a painting of St. Mark's by Canaletto ever having been in the Manfrini collection, and suggests that Ruskin's knowledge of Canaletto 's work is defective. Nevertheless it is possible to find support for Ruskin's case from work by Canaletto.
Giovanni Antonio Canal (Canaletto) 1697-1768
Piazza S. Marco: looking West from the North End of the Piazzetta c.1727
Oil on canvas, 170x129.3cm
Provenance: Joseph Smith (Venice); bt. George III, 1763-70, with the Smith collection of similar views
Further Comments: Although this painting does not represent the view that Ruskin descrined of the church of San Marco (from directly in front of it), it does illustrate his views on Canaletto's manner of painting the lily capitals of the columns, 'A black dot under each capital for the shadow, and a yellow one above it for the light.' (Works 3.337) For a closer view of San Marco and a further example of the lily capitals (detail on top of the columns) see Links (1994) 'Canaletto', p.96-7, and for the same view on the web, www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/canaletto/san-marco.jpg.
Collection: The Royal Collection, UK
For a reproduction of this artistic work, please consult: Links, J.G., Canaletto, (Phaidon, 1994), p.60-1