Technique

The main features of the view were drawn with short and broken repeated outlines in black, and then coloured in with firm strokes of ivory, cream and white, pinks and beige, for the buildings. Shades of blue, turquoise, and grey were roughly scumbled across sea and sky, leaving the brown paper showing through. Touches of light reddish brown, orange and pinkish ochre, complete the details of roofs and shipping. pale pinks, cream and white, very lightly applied, create reflections and ripples.

There are numerous pentimenti, suggesting slight changes in the position of shipping and buildings. There may have been an additional ship in front of the ship at right, and some of the rigging may have been related to that ship.

Frame

The current frame does not date from Whistler's time. The backbroard has several labels: 'B. Pénau[w?] / LAYETIER - EMBALLEUR / 4. Rue Favart. 4/ [Paris]'; '13434'; 'f119'; 'Return to / R. A. CANFIELD, / PROVIDENCE, R.I., U.S.A. / Title "Long Venice" / Venise./ Artist J. McNeill Whistler'.