Canaletto began making etchings in the 1740s, and in 1744 they were issued by the Pasquali press as a published set. This title page was printed in 1744, soon after the appointment of Joseph Smith to the position of British Consul, and was intended to accompany the 31 etchings entitled Vedute alle prese da i luoghi altre ideate (Views, some taken from nature, others imaginary).