Giovanni Antonio Canal—better known as Canaletto—was an Italian painter from the Republic of Venice considered an important member of the 18th-century Venetian school. He is known for his landscape art and etching, with his works depicting city views of Venice, Rome, and London. He was also an important printmaker. From 1746 to 1756, he worked in England where he painted many views of London and other sites including Warwick Castle and Alnwick Castle. One of his best-known early works is The Stonemason's Yard which depicts a humble working area of the city.