Giovanni Antonio Canal, known as Canaletto, was one of the leading painters of eighteenth-century Venice. A master of the veduta tradition, his finely detailed views captured the city’s architecture and light with remarkable precision. His paintings remain highly regarded by collectors and institutions for their clarity, realism and sense of atmosphere.
Born in Venice, the son of the painter Bernardo Canal, Canaletto began his career designing stage scenery before turning to painting city views. Using a camera obscura to achieve accuracy, he created compositions that combined direct observation with a calm, idealised vision of the city.
His work became especially popular with British Grand Tour visitors, supported by his agent Joseph Smith, whose patronage brought Canaletto’s paintings to a wide market. Today, his works continue to attract strong interest at auction, valued for their craftsmanship and historical importance.
