From Paris to Madrid and Vienna to London, from the Doge’s Palace to St. Peter’s Square, Europe’s most iconic cities and monuments have played host to magnificent ceremonies. During the golden age of view painting in the 18th century, princes, popes, and ambassadors commissioned artists such as Canaletto and Panini to record memorable moments ranging from the Venetian carnival to an eruption of Vesuvius.

This first-ever exhibition focusing on views of historic events includes nearly 40 works, many never seen before in America. Turning the beholder into an eyewitness on the scene, these paintings bring the spectacle and drama of the past to life. The selection will encompass key works from leading view painters including Canaletto, Bellotto, Robert, Panini, and Guardi. Prominent historical figures shown in the paintings include Empress Maria Theresa, Kings Charles III of Naples (and later Spain), Ferdinand VI of Spain, and Popes Benedict XIV and Pius VI.

This exhibition was organized by the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and the Cleveland Museum of Art, and is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

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