The tower in the centre background resembles that of Santa Maria della Torre which was beside the Ripa Grande, the old port of Rome opposite the Aventine. The other buildings seem to have been invented by the artist. The picture appears to be a slightly inaccurate reminiscence of the site.
It is painted on oak, an unusual support to have been used in Italy and was probably painted shortly after Both's return to Holland in about 1641. The artist also painted a more topographically accurate view of the Ripa Grande from the south-west (Frankfurt, Städelsches Kunstinstitut).
