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Canaletto, pictured, was born in Venice in 1697. He is renowned for his drawings of the city's Grand Canal but for centuries it was thought that he had traced his works
Venetian artist Canaletto is finally in the clear after centuries of suspicion that he had traced his masterpieces.
Conservators examined his drawings under infrared putting paid to the 'camera obscura' theory that was first noted by the famed painter's biographer in 1771.
Canaletto was born in Venice in 1697 and is renowned for his drawings of the city's Grand Canal.
He died at the age of 70 in 1768 - and four years after his death his official biographer claimed the painter had used a camera obscura, a pinhole projection device, to trace his most famous works.
It cast major suspicions over the creations - but it has now be en revealed that the artist actually sketched the views using pencil and ruler before committing them in ink.
The true origins of the artwork were discovered by conservators examining his works before they go on display at Buckingham Palace in late May.
They found the original marks using infrared photography which allowed them to see beneath the final pen and ink creation.
Conservators found the original marks on Canaletto's works using infrared photography which allowed them to see beneath the final pen and ink creation
The infrared investigation shows sketches of buildings including chimneys and windows - with a ruler used to create reflections in the water
Co-curator Rosie Razzall told The Telegraph: 'We thought it would be fruitful to look at it under infrared and we were just amazed by the results.
'It's one of these tropes which has just been repeated since Canaletto's lifetime.
'You get this image of Canaletto's meticulous underdrawing, as he really, really carefully plans out the sheets with pencil and ruler.
'It's fascinating from that point of view, and also for its wider significance.
'It shows very clear that he wasn't using a camera obscura to make these drawings.'
Canaletto copied over the pencil lines in ink before adding birds and clouds in freehand, according to the experts who probed the painting
Conservators said the infrared investigation showed the 'meticulous' underdrawing in the works which go on display at Buckingham Palace at the end of May
The infrared investigation shows sketches of buildings including chimneys and windows - with a ruler used t o create reflections in the water.
He copied over the pencil lines in ink before adding birds and clouds in freehand, according to the experts who probed the painting.
Canaletto's drawings became part of the Royal Collection after George III bought a large collection from art patron Joseph Smith in Venice in 1762.
Born Giovanni Antoni o Canal and nicknamed Canaletto, which means 'little canal', the artist lived most of his life at Corte Perin, in a modest apartment in the San Marco district of Venice.
Following his father Bernardo into painting theatrical scenery, his fame and money came later when he moved on to depict daily urban Venetian life.
One of his finest early pieces is The Stonemason's Yard which depicts a humble working area of the city.
Canaletto later became known for his grand scenes of canals and the Doge's Palace.
He spent several years painting in England, which brought him even closer to his rich clients.
He died in 1768 in the apartment where he had lived for most of his life. He never married.
Source: Venetian artist Canaletto's works are confirmed as true masterpieces after infrared technology proved they aren't the result of crafty camera tricks
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