Canaletto (October 18, 1697 – April 19, 1768) – a famous Italian artist of the 18th century, a master of drawing and engraving. Most of Canaletto’s paintings are written in the genre of urban landscape, in which real objects often coexist with imaginary architectural fantasies. The artist’s biography is closely connected not only with Italy, but also with England, and his work still causes admiration among millions of viewers around the world.

Canaletto is rightfully considered one of the most outstanding Venetian masters of the two main subgenres of urban landscape – veduta and capriccio. A significant part of his works, along with masterpieces of other famous painters of different historical eras and styles, are now kept in the British Imperial Collection.

Biography of Canaletto Canaletto (real name – Giovanni Antonio Canal) was born on October 18, 1697 in Venice. His father Bernardo was a successful theater artist and earned his living by making stage scenery. Antonio, along with his older brother Cristoforo, helped their father with work from childhood, but only the youngest of the Canal family offspring developed an interest and undoubted talent for painting.

A long trip with his father and brother to Rome in 1718 had a huge impact on the life of the future master. Over the next two years, he not only worked on the stage design for new plays by the famous composer Alessandro Scarlatti, but also found time to study painting. In the Eternal City, the young Venetian had an excellent opportunity to see with his own eyes the works of three of the capital’s most famous masters of urban landscape: Viviano Codazzi (Viviano Codazzi); Giovanni Paolo Pannini; Caspar van Wittel.

The work of these artists made a huge impression on Antonio and predetermined his final choice of landscape painting. Upon returning to Venice, the young Canal began studying with the famous local master Luca Carlevaris, and a few years later became a professional artist, taking the creative pseudonym Canaletto.

Within a short period of time (about 5 years), the young painter gained fame as the best Venetian landscape painter. He had regular wealthy customers who paid generously for his work. Among Canaletto’s clients were many influential people, including: merchant Stefano Conti; German field marshal in the service of the Venetian Republic Johann Matthias von der Schulenburg; British consul Joseph Smith.

The early period of the artist’s work, which lasted until the early 1740s, is considered by most art historians to be his best. During this time, the master’s most famous works were created, including magnificent images of festive events.

In the mid-1730s, the first students appeared in the young artist’s studio, but none of them surpassed the teacher in talent and fame. Of these, only Antonio’s nephew, Bernardo Bellotto, can be especially distinguished, who, like his uncle, took the nickname Canaletto. He later became an outstanding master of painting, and was the court artist of the kings of Sardinia and Poland.

Acquaintance with Joseph Smith helped Canaletto acquire many customers from England. Many of them bought Canaletto’s works during tourist or business trips to Venice. On Smith’s advice, the artist soon began to create not only paintings, but also engravings in order to increase the profits from purchases.

In 1740, the Venetian Republic found itself embroiled in a long military conflict after the death of the Emperor of Austria Charles VI. This inevitably affected the income of all artists, including the hero of our article. Six years later, Canaletto decided to leave his hometown for London, where Joseph Smith persistently invited him.

The artist spent the next decade in England, where he continued to work in his favorite genre of urban landscape. Only now the objects of his work were views of London, and not his native Venice. With each passing year, the already elderly master was increasingly drawn to Italy, although the English treated him with great respect.

In 1756, Canaletto returned to Venice, where he was warmly received by his compatriots, and the leadership of the Venetian Academy of Painting and Sculpture even awarded him the title of honorary member of this prestigious institution.

Here the elderly artist led a quiet, comfortable life, doing what he loved until April 19, 1768. On this spring day, Antonio Canaletto left our world to remain forever in the memory of grateful descendants. He was buried in his hometown with great honors, as befits a great son of glorious Venice – the birthplace of many geniuses of European art.