CANALETTO & THE ART OF VENICE

Cert U Running time

Explore Her Majesty’s private art collection with this documentary about the great 18th century Venetian landscape painter Canaletto.

Perfect for those wanting an introduction to his work and life, it’s based around a stunning public exhibition of his sketches, prints and paintings at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, which runs until November 12. If you can’t get to London to see it, this is the next best thing. Bursting with elements of everyday life, Canaletto’s glorious depictions of the city and its famous canals drove British tourism to the wealthy maritime port.

Canaletto’s agent Joseph Smith also happened to be the British Consul in Venice and the fascinating relationship between the two men is a great example of the conflicts which occur when art and commerce collide.

With an enjoyably conversational manner, curators and historians explain the artist’s significance and historical context.

The great artworks are photographed to their best advantage, and the city itself is visited to remind us there is just one Canaletto.