Canaletto's Blue Plaque at 41 Beak Street, Soho, London (Marco Trevisan, Bazzmann+Venipedia)

Canaletto's Blue Plaque at 41 Beak Street, Soho, London (Marco Trevisan, Bazzmann+Venipedia)

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In some cities, such as Venice and London, walking around with curiosity, looking up and not getting too caught up in shop windows can reveal new discoveries and knowledge.

In London, Blue Plaques commemorate famous people from the past who lived or worked in the city. In Soho, where David Bowie achieved fame in the various clubs of the time and where he had his studio, number 41 Beak Street hosts a plaque dedicated to Canaletto, who resided there for nine years, from 1746 to 1755.

During this period he changed his approach to painting technique, either because he was free from the pressure of the Venetian tourist market, or because technical requirements demanded it and probably because the new landscapes so different from Venice inspired a desire to experiment, while confirming his great technical mastery and pictorial experience.

Despite the initial difficulties, which forced him to organise announcements and exhibitions to prove his authenticity, in 1749 and 1751, Canaletto created works depicting England in his unmistakable style, leaving an important historical testimony, surprising and fascinating the English public.

Exploring Venice without looking upwards means missing out on a level of Venetian storytelling and history composed of innumerable signs, nizioleti and patare that can hardly be discovered and understood in most books and guidebooks dedicated to the lagoon city.In London, there is a similar route consisting of the so-called Blue Plaques: plaques affixed to vertical walls, the most recent of which are round and richly decorated, with white lettering on an elegant blue background. In spite of the name, it should be noted that the older ones are also found in different shapes and colours.Since 18

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