Brief Biography-Born in Venice, Canaletto was the son of a theatrical scene artist. Through his father, he gained an exceptional eye for perspective. They worked together on various scene sets for operas in Venice and Rome in 1720. After doing this work, he decided to paint city views rather than the conventional religious path of so many artists. He was impressed by the artist Luca Carlevarijs who painted Venetian sights. Hence Canaletto embarked on doing what he loved most, depicting the city of Venice precisely as it was to him, including rundown areas. He quickly received many commissions and charged what he wanted for his work. In 1726 an Irish impresario named Owen McSwiney came up with the idea of producing paintings for the English nobility on their Grand Tours. Joseph Smith, the British consul in Venice, exported the pictures to England. Horace Walpole named Smith the Merchant of Venice. He also collected Canaletto’s paintings and drawings for himself which he sold in 1762 to George III. With the help of his nephew Bernardo Bellotto who followed Canaletto’s path as a painter of views, Canaletto produced many paintings. When the war of Austrian Succession began, his commissions subsided due to fewer travellers from England. In 1746, he closed his studio and went to England, where he spent the next ten years. He enjoyed commissions painting the Thames and grand country houses. His popularity waned towards the end of his stay, and he returned to Venice in 1756. He spent the remainder of his life in Venice, mainly painting small pictures for tourists. He received minor honours during this period; however, the Venetians never truly appreciated his work. He died in 1768, leaving very few possessions behind.