04/09/2026
Who is Canaletto? 👀
Born in Venice in 1697, Giovanni Antonio Canal – nicknamed Canaletto, “little Canal” – first trained as a theatre painter in his father’s workshop. But a trip to Rome introduced him to a different kind of stage: the city itself. Back home, Canaletto made Venice his subject. His vedute – city views filled with architecture, light and everyday life – became popular souvenirs among travellers on the Grand Tour. His nephew Bernardo Bellotto also trained under him and would become a renowned veduta painter in his own right.
His success reached far beyond Venice – especially to Britain. When war kept his British clients from travelling to Italy, Canaletto went to them instead. After almost a decade in England, he returned home to Venice, which remained the defining subject of his art until his death in 1768. His views of the city’s canals, bridges, narrow streets and grand squares still shape how we picture Venice today.
And there’s still time to see Canaletto’s works in person: it’s the final weekend of our special exhibition „Canaletto & Bellotto“, on view until 6 September! 👀
🔗 Read more on Canaletto, his life and work in our Old Masters article here: https://www.khm.at/en/digital/artists/canaletto
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Antonio Canal, gen. Canaletto, The Dogana in Venice, c. 1724/30, Picture Gallery © KHM-Museumsverband; Antonio Canal, gen. Canaletto, The Riva degli Schiavoni in Venice, c. 1724/30, Picture Gallery © KHM-Museumsverband; Antonio Canal, gen. Canaletto, London: The River Thames on Lord Mayor's Day, c. 1748, The Lobkowicz Collections, Prague
