The view is from the Bacino towards the Molo. From the right, the Prisons, with the Ponte della Paglia between them and the Doges' Palace (the Campanile behind), the columns of S. Marco and S. Teodoro, the Libreria, the Zecca and the Granaries, with the campanile of S. Moisè visible above them. The campanile immediately left of the Doges' Palace is probably that of S. Stefano.

This painting is one of four, all in the Royal Collection, which are signed and dated 1743 or 1744 and engraved by Antonio Visentini (1688-1782) on a larger scale and independently of his 1735 series. It is the companion piece to 'Venice: The Piazzetta towards the Torre dell' Orologio' (RCIN 400515). These two paintings are dated 24 October 1743. Such precise dating is highly unusual for Canaletto and may indicate some sort of significance for him or his patron. All four were engraved as in Joseph Smith's collection and, it may be supposed, before his appointment as consul in June 1744, since that title is omitted from his name. It is thought that the group of four engravings was published by G. B. Pasquali at Smith's expense. Visentini's original drawing is in the Museo Correr.

Signed and dated lower right: A. Canal Fecit / XXIV Octobris / MDCCXLIII.