The popularity of Canaletto in England, especially after his visit in 1746-55, created a school of English view painters. The most famous member of that school was Samuel Scott (1702-72), who graduated from marine subjects in the style of Willem van de Velde II to Thames-side topography in the manner of Canaletto. Scott has become a useful catch-all name to associate with any mid-century London view with accurate perspective and precision of detail. There is a group of fifteen such paintings in the Royal Collection, none good enough to be by Scott himself, most of them re-cycling existing compositions. This is a copy of a composition by Samuel Scott, known through several autograph versions. The view is taken across the Thames towards the Fishmonger's Hall, with Old London Bridge on the right, the Monument prominent on the left, and with shipping on the river in the foreground.