A watercolour view of Mouse Island (Pontikonisi) off the coast of Corfu. Signed in the bottom left corner.

Giallina was born in Corfu, and made many watercolour drawings of his home island. The Royal Collection holds a number of different views of Corfu by the artist, including another watercolour (RCIN 929335) which depicts Mouse Island from a greater distance.

Giallina worked for King George I of Greece, and through this connection was patronised by George's sister, Queen Alexandra, and King Edward VII when Prince and Princess of Wales. Later, Queen Mary, as Duchess of York, visited three exhibitions of Giallina's work in London. However, it is impossible to be definitive on the provenance of the watercolours by Giallina in the Royal Collection. It is possible that this was one of the "scenes around Corfu and Athens" by Giallina formerly hung in Queen Mary's bedroom on the royal yacht.