The 18th century artist Francesco Guardi was a noted painter of views of which city?

Francesco Lazzaro Guardi (1712-1793) was an Italian painter of the Venetian School. Initially, he collaborated with his brother, Gian Antonio, to produce religious paintings, but after his brother's death, he concentrated on painting views of Venice.

Some of Guardi's most important works include paintings depicting the ceremonies held in 1763 for the election of Doge Alvise IV Mocenigo. Ceremonies such as this usually involved processions on the waterways of Venice. Guardi also painted the churches and buildings around Venice.

In 1782, the Venetian government commissioned Guardi to paint six canvases of Venetian scenes to celebrate the visit of some Russian Archdukes to the city. His other works include 'View on the Grand Canal at San Geremia, Venice', 'The Bucintoro Festival of Venice', 'Regatta in Venice', 'View of the Cannaregio Canal', 'Procession of Gondolas in the Bacino di San Marco' and 'Fire in the Oil Depot in San Marcuola'.