[1][2] Canaletto had become famous for his depictions of his native Venice but in 1746 had journeyed to England to be closer to the wealthy British patrons he had worked for in Italy.

Many of his commissions involved great houses and the public buildings of the capital.

The eighteenth century saw a flurry of new bridges to supplement the few crossings of the river.

Plans for a bridge at Walton to replace the historic ferry saw work begin in 1748 to designs by the architect and engineer William Etheridge.

Canaletto's depiction is today part in the collection of the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London.