AN EXHIBITION at the Old Royal Naval College brings two Canaletto paintings together for the first time in 40 years.

The artist's famous view across the River Thames, which was acquired by the college in 1939, will be displayed alongside the less-well known and earlier view of the same scene.

The work was painted in Venice before 1746.

This was prior to the artist himself visiting Greenwich.

It is on loan to the college from the Tate Gallery in London.

No sketches or other views by Canaletto are known of and the origin and early history of both paintings is still unexplained.

The display at the Queen's House runs until December 12.