Bernardo Bellotto (1721-1780) received his first training in the Venetian studio of his mother's brother, the famous Antonio Canal (Canaletto). The beginnings of his artistic career were inextricably linked to his uncle, whose vedutas he studied in depth. Around 1742, he went to Rome to continue his painterly education. In 1748, he became court painter in Dresden. The artistic patronage of King August III of Poland fostered a cosmopolitan atmosphere and enriched the already refined Saxon court. In Saxony, Bellotto created impressive cycles of vedutas. He stayed there, with interruptions, for a total of a dozen years. In 1768, he became court painter to the Polish King Stanisław August Poniatowski. He was nicknamed 'Canaletto' in Warsaw.

The Zwinger is worth mentioning at this point, where works by the Venetian-born artist can be found. The Late Baroque architectural ensemble was commissioned by the Saxon Elector and Polish King August II the Strong. After reconstruction in the mid-19th century, the exhibition space (including for the extensive painting collection) was enlarged. The complex was destroyed during the bombing of Dresden on 13-14 February 1945. After reconstruction, it once again impresses the citizens of Dresden and visitors with its architecture and its world-famous museum collections, e.g. the famous 'Sistine Madonna' by Raphael Santi in the Old Masters' Picture Gallery (Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister).

Technical data: oil, canvas; 105 x 136.5 cm; inv. no. 638A.