Canaletto, whose real name was Giovanni Antonio Canal, was an Italian painter and vedute artist, famous for his depictions of Venice, Rome and London. His best known works include The Grand Canal with a View of the Rialto Bridge , St Mark's Square in Venice and The Bucintoro Returns to the Doge's Palace . These paintings were especially prized by British travellers on the Grand Tour, who acquired them as souvenirs of their travels.