The Rialto bridge, dating in its current form from around 1590, was the only crossing of the Grand Canal in Canaletto’s day. To the left is the Fondaco dei Tedeschi, the offices and warehouse of the German traders; to the right, the Palazzo dei Camerlenghi, the seat of the financial officers of the Republic, and the offices and workshops of the Fabbriche Vecchie. This painting depicts the view from Joseph Smith’s palazzo, though Canaletto has again dramatically opened out the composition.