Tompsett uses a vibrant palette to define the recognizable silhouettes of Florence, from the rounded dome of the Duomo to the sharp peaks of its historic towers. The colors bleed into one another, suggesting the warmth of the Tuscan sun hitting stone and terracotta without needing literal detail. The composition relies on the interplay between dense pigment and the surrounding white space, creating a sense of clarity and focus on the city's unique shape.

The use of negative space allows the viewer to encounter the city as a singular, iconic entity. It functions as both a map and a memory, capturing the density of the urban landscape while maintaining the airy, light-filled quality inherent to the watercolor medium. By stripping away the clutter of the street level, the work emphasizes the enduring character of the Italian horizon.