The delicate colouring of this exquisite study is strongly reminiscent of the watercolours known to belong to Turner's first visit to Venice (Nos.212-214) and the preparation of the paper with pale washes of blue and yellow has much in common with the 'colour-beginnings' in the 'Como and Venice' sketchbook (No.209). There is, however, no more specific evidence for giving the sheet so early a date, and Finberg placed it among 'colour-beginnings' of the 1820s. The freedom of the pencilled-in boat and buildings suggests an even later date, as does the pencil scribble in the top right corner of the sheet which may read as an 'M', perhaps identifying a location, like the 'L' on many late drawings of Lucerne. Nevertheless, the pencil details seem to suggest that the scene is intended to be Venice.