View on the Thames, with St Paul's

Scott's drawing focuses on a flurry of activity on the banks of the River Thames. Boats by the shore are being tended to by workers in front of the warehouses and buildings by the river. In the distance St. Paul's Cathedral can be seen, along with an array of boats further down the river.

Although primarily a marine painter, Scott was interested in life on the Thames and made numerous sketches and drawings of the river, some including landmarks such as Westminster Bridge. When the artist moved to Twickenham in 1755, he set to work on painting the Thames from Eel Pie Island.

It is thought that Scott was inspired by the Italian painter Canaletto who came to England in 1746 and produced detailed topographical paintings of London. Like Canaletto, Scott focused on views of the city from the Thames and included lively figures in his paintings.