The palace dominates the left side of the composition, its rhythmic arches and delicate tracery rendered in crisp, precise lines. The scene is animated by dozens of people, some strolling, others pausing in conversation, and a few gazing out toward the water. Beyond the canal, the cityscape recedes into the distance, with church towers and domes rising above the rooftops under a vast, luminous sky.

The clouds are painted with soft, feathery brushstrokes, their pale blues and whites contrasting with the warm ochres and pinks of the buildings. The composition is carefully balanced, with the strong vertical of the column and the receding lines of the palace drawing the viewer’s gaze along the waterfront and into the city beyond. Details such as the reflections in the water, the textures of stone and wood, and the subtle variations in costume and gesture reveal the artist’s close observation of Venetian life.

A cluster of wooden posts juts out from the water at the lower right, some leaning at angles and catching the light along their tops. The sunlight falls strongly on the upper façade of the palace, creating bright highlights and casting deep shadows under the arches. The distant skyline is punctuated by slender spires and domes, rendered with fine, linear brushwork against the pale blue sky.

The paint is applied smoothly in the sky, with subtle gradations of blue and white, while sharper lines define the architectural details and boats. Riva degli Schiavoni: Looking East was painted by Giovanni Antonio Canal, known as Canaletto, in 1730.