How did the landscapes of Canaletto and Francesco Guardi differ from idealized landscapes?

Unlike idealized landscapes—which often emphasize a tranquil, classical, or spiritual vision of nature—the works of Canaletto and Francesco Guardi were primarily defined as vedute, or factual views of cities and places.12

The two artists approached this topographical style with distinct differences:

• Canaletto: Known for his "limpid photographic records," Canaletto’s work is characterized by cool precision, masterful atmospheric effects, and a rigorous command of perspective. While he occasionally produced capriccio (imaginary architectural combinations), his primary legacy lies in his detailed, factual documentation of Venetian architecture and sunlight.3451
• Francesco Guardi: In contrast, Guardi moved away from Canaletto’s rigid precision to develop a lighter, more lyrical Rococo style. His paintings are noted for their "scintillating and romantic impressions" of Venice, often capturing a sense of the picturesque or the bizarre, which stands in marked contrast to the more clinical, topographical approach of his predecessor.34

While both artists were masters of the veduta, their work prioritized the specific, observable reality of their environment over the stylized, imaginary, or classically idealized landscapes common in other traditions.124