The view is of the central stretch of the Grand Canal, looking north-east towards the Rialto. Races along the canal were held annually on 2 February, during the carnival, and many spectators here wear the carnival costume of black cape and white mask. The course ran from the far south-east of the island, along the Riva and the length of the Grand Canal to Santa Chiara, then back to the finishing line at Ca’ Foscari, marked by the canopied pavilion seen at the left edge of the painting.