Sold from The Grand Tour exhibition, Venetian Canal with Gondola,  is a vivid  view of Venezia by artist Raimondo Roberti. He was born on May 31, 1947, in post-World War II Naples, Italy. Some members of his family, who were high ranking military officers of the Royal Fleet, strongly influenced Roberti and his lifelong attraction to all things pertaining to the sea. His family’s isolated villa was very near the grounds of Ciacinto Gigante, who was one of the foremost exponents of Neopolitan classical painting, an art style known as the School of Posillipo, an artistic style that Roberti would study later in life. Because of his interests in American culture, Roberti moved to the United States so as to immerse himself in the American Experience while pursuing his career as an artist. While in America, he was invited to exhibit in many prestigious galleries and had a multitude of successful shows. Roberti also studied the Hudson River School of Painting, which he has always admired.

However, his stay in America was short lived because of his love for his native land, Italy. Roberti is an artist who, in his paintings, combines both tradition and renewal. His works are timeless reflecting the traditions of Italian art without the burden of explaining its evolution. Probably most famous for his port scenes and his paintings of the Italian coastline, as well as his romantic images of Venice, Roberti is truly capable of capturing the magic of his subjects. His canvas allow viewers to suspend their disbelief for a brief moment while all of their senses are engaged. They can smell the fragrance of the ocean while the taste of saltwater dances across their lips. Roberti is able to offer the world exacting impressions of the vibrant life of a port city or the quiet elegance, romanticism and rugged terrain that embraces the Mediterranean.