Rio della Panada, Venice

Giuseppe Canella was the son of an architect, fresco painter and set designer. Under the guidance of his father, he began his artistic career engaged in the production of stage sets, as well the development of decorative schemes for the stately homes of Verona and Mantua. It may have been under the influence of Pietro Ronzoni that he turned to landscape painting in 1815, following a short stay in Venice. Three years later, he made his debut at the Esposizione di Belle Arti di Brera of 1818.