A Wagon Passing over a Bridge

1719–1720

Rome: Pannini, van Wittel and the turn to the veduta

In Rome Canal comes to know the work of the vedutista Giovanni Paolo Pannini and begins to paint views of Venice; his love of landscape painting grows stronger through contacts with the Dutch artists working in Rome, in particular Gaspar van Wittel. Soon he probably realises that the conventions of stage design stand in the way of his natural gift.

until 1728

The association with Joseph Smith begins

Sometime before 1728 Canaletto begins his association with Joseph Smith, an English businessman and collector living in Venice, who is appointed British Consul there in 1744; Smith will become the artist's principal agent and patron.

c. 1729 – 1735

Smith as agent: a “market of taste” for the Venetian veduta

Joseph Smith — a banker, art dealer and later British consul in Venice — creates a “market of taste” for the Venetian veduta among British aristocrats touring Italy and, as Canaletto's commercial agent from about 1729 to 1735, in effect controls the artist's work to the benefit of them both. Among the young painter's buyers is also the Prince of Liechtenstein.

1746

Moving to London because of wars and a collapsing market

Smith inspires Canaletto to travel to London; because of the wars shaking continental Europe he decides in 1746 to move to England, where he will live for the next ten years.

1762

George III buys Smith's collection for £20,000

In 1762 Joseph Smith sells most of his collection, which includes paintings by Canaletto, to King George III of England, who pays £20,000 for fifty paintings and 142 drawings and incorporates them into the Royal Collection.

20 April 1768

Died