Entrance to the Grand Canal from the Molo, Venice

Executed in oil on canvas, this work exemplifies Canaletto's evolving approach in the 1740s, characterized by a refined use of perspective. The artist's signature, "A.C.F." (Antonio Canal Fecit), is prominently displayed on a painted cartellino in the lower left. This practice of initialing his works was a relatively new development for Canaletto during this decade, providing scholars with a valuable indicator for dating his paintings from this period.

During the early 1740s, Canaletto actively broadened his patronage beyond established figures like Joseph "Consul" Smith. This period saw him increasingly cater to independent British nobility, who were often on their Grand Tour. "Entrance to the Grand Canal from the Molo, Venice" was created with this expanding British market in mind, reflecting the demand for detailed and evocative views of the city that appealed to foreign visitors and collectors.

The painting's ownership history is notably comprehensive. It likely entered the collection of Henry Howard, 4th Earl of Carlisle, at Castle Howard, Yorkshire, around 1738-1739, coinciding with his Venetian travels. The work remained at Castle Howard for two centuries, documented in inventories and observed by Lady Oxford in 1745.

After a brief sale to Baron Gower in 1825 and subsequent return, it was acquired by Barbara Hutton in 1938 from the Trustees of Geoffrey William Howard, who later presented it to the Nationa.