An architectural capriccio with a man collecting branches and figures by ruins

At least three variants of the composition are known: the signed Capriccio formerly with David Koester, Zurich (see A. Morassi, Guardi, I Dipinti, Venice, 1973, I, p. 444, no. 715, and reproduced II, fig. 668); another sold from the collection of Alice Tully, Christie’s, New York, 11 January 1995, lot 42; and a Capriccio formerly in the Seligman collection, Paris, sold Sotheby’s, London, 24 June 1970, lot 105 (see A. Morassi, op.cit., Venice, 1973, I, p. 444, no. 716). This picture probably dates to the 1780s.
The figures in this painting depend closely on those of the preparatory drawing in the Museo Correr, Venice (A. Morassi, Guardi, Tutti I Disegni di Antonio, Francesco e Giacomo Guardi, Venice, 1975, p. 165, no. 488, fig. 489), which suggests that this is the earliest version of the composition.