The Bucintoro, the Doge’s ceremonial barge, is seen in the centre of the picture setting out for the Lido, where the Doge performed the Sposalizio del Mare, the marriage of Venice with the Adriatic Sea, by casting a ring into the water. The ceremony marked the anniversary of the Venetian victory over the Dalmatians on Ascension Day, 1000. The composition, which is known in many versions, is based on Brustoloni’s engraving from the series of the Solennità Dogali (cf. Studio of Canaletto P500). The Wallace Collection’s picture was thought to be by Guardi (q.v.) when bought by Sir Richard Wallace.