Hi Heather,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
I've searched the artist databases we have access to and can not find a match to an artist by the last name of Richard who was painting in the 20th/21st Century in Italy, or ANY artist with that surname who painted Venetian canal scenes. It looks like one of the fairly mass-produced works that has decorative value. The certificate of authentication provides virtually no documentary information about this and was probably mass produced as well.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

Italian School, 20th Century
Venetian canal scene, undated
oil or acrylic on canvas
21 by 24 inches, framed
signed "Richard" lower right
together with a "certificate of authenticity"
CONDITION: appears to be in good condition
PROVENANCE: inherited
$300-500*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you again for using Mearto.