The 18th century was a time in which European metropolises flourished and underwent fundamental political, social and cultural change. With a keen eye for architecture and urban life, the painters Giovanni Antonio Canal, better known as Canaletto (1697-1768), and his nephew Bernardo Bellotto (1721-1780) captured these changes in their detailed vedute. Their works are not only masterpieces of painting, but also impressive historical documents. From March 24, 2026, the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna is dedicating a major exhibition to these two exceptional artists, bringing them into direct dialog for the first time in the German-speaking world.
The show focuses on cityscapes of Venice, London and Vienna - three places that were of central importance to Canaletto's and Bellotto's artistic careers. While Canaletto achieved fame in Venice with his light-flooded, precisely composed views of canals, squares and palaces and later worked for the nobility and royalty in London, Bellotto developed an independent, often more austere style. His monumental views of Vienna, Dresden and Warsaw are characterized by cool clarity and almost topographical accuracy.
The exhibition reveals how closely related and artistically inspired they were, and at the same time how different the pictorial languages of the two painters were. Canaletto inspires with his atmospheric lightness and masterful use of light, while Bellotto impresses with his attention to detail and dramatic spatial perspective. Together, their works open up a panorama of urban identity in the 18th century - between baroque representation, the aspiring bourgeoisie and the growing fascination with travel and foreign lands.
In addition to world-famous masterpieces, the exhibition also presents less familiar works that shed light on the creative process of the two artists. In addition, sketches, engravings and contemporary city maps provide an insight into the workshop practice and the interaction between art and urban reality. The exhibition shows how Canaletto and Bellotto not only shaped the image of their cities, but also had a lasting influence on how we imagine Venice, London and Vienna to this day.
With this presentation, the Kunsthistorisches Museum is setting a highlight in spring 2026, inviting visitors to rediscover the works of two of Europe's most important veduta painters - as artistic masterpieces and as a window into the urban culture of the 18th century.
March 24 to September 6, 2026
www.khm.at
