The gondolier occupies the foreground, standing in the stern of a traditional black gondola. His figure forms the visual anchor of the painting, while the canal leads the eye into the distance, creating a strong sense of depth.  He wears the iconic attire associated with Venetian gondoliers—a light-coloured shirt and dark trousers—with a broad-brimmed straw hat. His stance is relaxed yet purposeful as he navigates Venice's waterways.

One of the painting's most striking features is the treatment of the canal. Energetic, broken brushstrokes are used to suggest constantly moving water. Blues, greens, ochres and touches of white intermingle, producing shimmering reflections of boats and surrounding buildings rather than precise mirror images.