The Bucintoro, the State Barge, is depicted returning to the quayside in front of the Doge's Palace, Venice. On board are the Doge and members of the Senate returning from the Ascension Day ceremony of the Sposalizio del Mare (the marriage of the Venetian Republic to the Adriatic Sea). Various ambassadorial gondolas are in attendance. The gondola in the foreground carries the French Royal arms. This may suggest that the painting was commissioned by the French Ambassador to Venice, Jacques-Vincent Languet, Comte de Gergy (1667-1734). Purchased with assistance from The National Art Collections Fund, V&A Purchase Grant Fund and the National Heritage Memorial Fund.