It is unclear why Canaletto cut the plate into three sections, though presumably he decided that the largest portion was more successful than the original composition. This is a unique impression of the smallest part, and Windsor thus holds the only complete set of Canaletto's etchings. All were probably acquired by George III in 1762 as part of the collection of Canaletto's great patron, Consul Joseph Smith, along with 50 paintings and 150 drawings by the artist.