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During the era of the Grand Tour—when young gentlemen traveled to the renowned sites of continental Europe as the culmination of their education—art emerged as the ultimate souvenir. Antonio Canal, known as Canaletto, was the foremost Italian painter of the 18th century, specializing in vedute, or cityscapes, which were so accurate they allowed the locations to be easily recognized. His captivating views of Venice served as visual records for wealthy tourists of the 1700s.
Canaletto's meticulous attention to detail, evident in the play of light on the water, the postures of the gondoliers, and the sharply defined buildings against a clear blue sky, conveyed a vivid sense of the city's grandeur beyond the frame. Iconic landmarks such as the pink 14th-century Doge’s Palace on the left and the Bridge of Sighs, partially hidden behind the Ponte della Paglia to the right of the Palace, remain must-see sites for visitors to Venice today.