1697
–
1768
Giovanni Antonio Canal, known as Canaletto, was a Venetian painter famous for his precise and atmospheric cityscapes, or vedute. His detailed views of Venice, such as The Grand Canal and The Piazza San Marco, were highly sought after by British aristocrats on the Grand Tour. Canaletto’s paintings combined topographical accuracy with luminous light and perspective. During a decade in England, he also painted views of London and the English countryside. His works were instrumental in popularizing Venice’s romantic image abroad. Today, Canaletto is celebrated as one of the greatest view painters in European art history.
