Warren W. Sheppard (American, 1858-1937), large oil on canvas painting of St. Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy, as seen from The Grand Canal, with sailboats, ships and gondolas in the foreground. Signed and dated lower right: Warren Sheppard1880. Housed in the original period giltwood and composition frame with artist’s name plaque, retaining 2 paper labels en verso, each reading: “Columbus Picture Frame Company / Humprys and Smythe”. Condition: scattered flaking to canvas,particularly on the left gondola. Some scattered shrinkage cracks to frame; rabbet edge probably regilded. 41-1/2″ x 23-1/2″ sight, 55″ x 37″ framed. Provenance: Nashville collection; purchased by the consignor’s parents from theestate of R. S. Rhodes of Linden, Michigan and Star Island, Florida. Biography: A marine painter, Warren Sheppard was a designer and navigator of racing yachts and sailed widely along the New England coast. He won the famous NewYork-to-Bermuda race and published an authoritative book titled “Practical Navigation.” He was also known for his canal scenes of Venice.He took art lessons from marine painter Maurice De Haas and exhibited at the Brooklyn Art