More than a few art experts hail Giovanni Antonio Canal as one of the greatest artists of the eighteenth century. One writer of his time called him a happy genius, which was no exaggeration. The world knows him best as Canaletto. Born to a designer and painter of stage settings in 1697, Canaletto followed in his father s path and trained as a theatrical scene painter. He soon left the theater behind and became a vedutista a view painter. Venetians will remain forever grateful for his decision to change the direction of his artistic career. With brush and palette, he created a glittering vision of Venice that continues to define the splendor of that sun-drenched city of islands and lagoons. Canaletto took his talent abroad in 1746 and spent a decade in England, adding to his impressive body of work.
