More information about this Work Canaletto visited England in
1746, arriving there in the spring. The celebrated Venetian
artist travelled with a letter of recommendation from one of his
most important protectors, Joseph Smith, the British consul in
Venice. Canaletto was in Britain until 1755 and during these
years made two trips to Venice, one of around eight months
between 1750 and 1751 and the other in 1753. Dating from this
English period are a series of paintings whose principal
subjects are the city of London , the English countryside and
other locations around the country. View of London through the
Arch of Westminster Bridge in the collection of the Duke of
Northumberland , The Thames and the City of London seen from
Richmond House , belonging to the Trustees of Goodwood House ,
views of the area around Saint James’ Park and Westminster Abbey
are among the scenes depicted during this new phase in the
artist’s career. Among the artist’s distinguished clients, in
addition to the Duke of Richmond , were