Venice: Palazzo Grimani

1740s

The War of the Austrian Succession: the British stop coming

In the 1740s Canaletto's market is disrupted when the War of the Austrian Succession reduces the number of British visitors to Venice. Smith arranges for the publication of a series of etchings of “capricci” (architectural fantasies), but the returns are not high enough.

1746–1755

Rumours of an impostor: a newspaper advertisement

Canaletto's English paintings become repetitive and mechanical, and the critic George Vertue suggests that the man painting under the name “Canaletto” is an impostor — perhaps because his nephew Bernardo Bellotto was also using his uncle's nickname, or, more likely, because unscrupulous dealers passing off copies were anxious to see him return to Venice. To refute the claim the artist invites “any Gentleman”, through a newspaper advertisement, to inspect his latest painting of St James's Park at his studio in Silver Street, but his reputation never fully recovers in his lifetime.

1746–1756 · Virkested

Great Britain

1749–1752

A house on Beak Street in Soho

In 1749–52 Canaletto lives at number 41 Beak Street in London's Soho district.

1755

Return to Venice

In 1755 Canaletto returns to Venice after almost ten years in England.

1756–1768 · Virkested

Venice