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The painting shows a view of the old Horse Guards and Banqueting Hall, Whitehall, seen from Saint James's Park. It was executed in May or June of 1749, prior to the demolition of the old, red brick Horse Guards building, which began late that same year.
This work shows the same subject as the Old Horse Guards from St James's Park in the Tate Gallery, but from a closer and more frontal viewpoint. To the right, behind Old Horse Guards on the far side of Whitehall, is Inigo Jones' Banqueting Hall. Near to it and almost hidden by the screen of trees can be seen part of the Holbein Gate.
The painting is related to a working drawing in Canaletto's Accademia sketchbook (Galleria dell'Accademia, Venice).
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