The perspective representation of urban landscapes and views, which became a painting genre in 17th-century Holland as exemplified by the works of Gerrit Berckheyde (1638-1698) and Jan van der Heyden (1637-1712), found in Antonio Canal, better known as Canaletto, a more creative and complete artistic interpretation.

In 18th-century Venice, Canaletto combined brilliant stage preparation with a deep understanding of perspective. He had a rare pictorial talent for the use of scientific discoveries in the field of optics, together with a unique visual perception of colours and distances. Whether drawing the image in front of his eyes with the aid of the optical camera, an ancient instrument also employed by Van Dyck, Leonardo and Joshua Reynolds, or sketching freehand in a notebook, Canaletto was a modern artist. He was a man of enlightenment, blessed with a spontaneous, natural and poetic creativity, which was always based on constant and meticulous work.

Entering his creative world and understanding its mechanisms is the aim of this volume, which is published on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the artist's death.