The Canaletto Collection at the Queen's Gallery in Buckingham Palace, Image from the film <em>Canaletto in Venice</em>, 2017, By David Bickerstaff and Phil Grabsky | Courtesy Nexo Digital
To the English travellers visiting Venice, the paintings of Antonio Canal must have seemed like splendid souvenirs. Thus, Canaletto-mania broke out across the Channel. In a few years, thanks to the art merchant and theatre impresario Owen Swiny, British aristocrats could embellish their estates with spectacular visions of the Serenissima. With the aid of an optical device, Canaletto offered his demanding public postcards of the Lagoon long before the invention of photography - from Piazza San Marco to the Canal Grande to the Palazzo Ducale, his brush turned out vivid and indelible depictions of the marvels of the Grand Tour. Then, the banker, collector and British Consul to Venice, Joseph Smith, took the artist under his wing. The canvases flowed copiously into the kingdom of George III who, in 1763, bought the entire collection of Smith. Approximately 50 paintings, 150 drawings and 15 rare engravings by Canaletto entered Britain’s Royal Collection where they can be found today. From the walls of the Queen’s Gallery, they invite visitors to Buckingham Palace to travel through the Venice of the 1700s, among gondolas bobbing upon the water, unmistakable architecture and masterfully depicted perspectives.
London Fashion Week returns from 18 to 22 September 2025 with Spring / Summer 2026 collections. Over 250 brands, from iconic designers to emerging voices, explore sustainability, fluid aesthetics and the new directions of British fashion.
Level 42's Brit Pop Celebrates 40 Years At Royal Albert Hall
On 22 October 2025, Level 42 will celebrate 40 years of World Machine with a special concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall. British soul-funk group Roachford joins as special guests. An evening of groove, virtuosity, and unforgettable 1980s hits.
The 2026 TCS London Marathon will take place on Sunday 26 April, cementing its place as one of the world’s most prestigious marathon events. The route is flat and scenic, from Greenwich Park to the Mall at Buckingham Palace.
Bridgerton and Beyond: Music from the Series Live at the Royal Festival Hall
The BBC Concert Orchestra takes to the Royal Festival Hall stage with music from hit period dramas like Bridgerton and Downton Abbey. An evening of regency flair and live symphonic arrangements.