A drawing of an invented view, known as a capriccio. On the left is a large fountain, the pedestal of which is decorated with Canaletto's arms - the chevron. On the right is a lagoon, with several figures are shown sitting on its banks.

In the foreground is a fountain, more like the huge granite bowls familiar in Rome than anything to be seen in Venice, with a small carved lion at its centre. The pedestal bears Canaletto's arms with the chevron. Beyond are trees and a group of fishermen on the shores of the lagoon. The various motifs seem barely connected, and it appears from the minimal pencil underdrawing that Canaletto put the composition together with little deliberation.

Catalogue entry adapted from Canaletto in Venice, London, 2005