The composition utilizes a vertical perspective to draw the eye along the narrow waterway, where the dark, curved prows of moored gondolas create a repetitive, melodic pattern. The light is handled with a specific focus on the transition of day into evening, casting a warm, saturated hue across the stone architecture and reflecting deeply in the rippling tide.

By choosing a portrait orientation, the artist emphasizes the height of the surrounding buildings and the intimate, enclosed nature of the city's famous arteries. The focus remains on the interplay between the heavy, dark forms of the boats and the ethereal, glowing quality of the air, capturing a fleeting moment of quietude in a city defined by its relationship with the sea.