Canaletto's Venice Revisited

Canaletto’s Venice Revisited is now open at the National Maritime Museum.

This major exhibition displays the complete set of 24 Venetian views painted by Canaletto in the 1730s.

The works, from the world famous collection at Woburn Abbey, form the largest single commission the Italian artist ever received.

Canaletto’s Venice Revisited reassesses Canaletto at the height of his career, looking beyond the broad views he is famous for to also closely examine the features that bring his Venice to life. 

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see this collection up close at the National Maritime Museum.

With canals instead of streets, Venice is defined by its relationship to the sea.

This relationship is central to the city’s allure, which has beguiled generations of travellers and artists.

However, rising sea levels brought about by climate change now threaten to destroy the way of life represented in Canaletto’s paintings.

The development of the cruise industry has also brought large and unsustainable volumes of tourists to the city, prompting a backlash from some local communities.

Canaletto’s Venice Revisited combines the Woburn paintings with drawings, prints, photographs, and other objects from Royal Museums Greenwich’s collections, bringing Canaletto’s enduring and idealised views of 18th century Venice up to date with a consideration of the social and environmental challenges that the city now faces.

Main image: View of the Grand Canal from the Palazzo Bembo to Palazzo Vendramin-Calergi by Canaletto. From the Woburn Abbey Collection