Canaletto shows us a view of Venice's main canal, called the Grand Canal, which winds its way through the city. Venice has many canals, which are used, like roads, to travel through the city. The Grand Canal was lined with palaces, warehouses and churches. It was a fashionable place for a walk. Canaletto included many details and well-known buildings in this painting. He wanted his painting to look like a mirror held up to the canal.