Even though the painting bears a signature and date (Giò Migliara 1814), scholars are not unanimous in attributing the work to Giovanni Migliara. The construction of the Arco della Pace, or Arch of Peace, was begun in 1807 to celebrate Napoleon, but work stopped after his defeat at Waterloo in 1815. Building resumed in 1826 under the orders of Emperor Francis I of Austria, who wanted it to be dedicated to the peace that was established after 1815. It was eventually unveiled by his successor, Ferdinand I, in 1838. In the painting we see the arena, on the left, and the spires of the Duomo, on the right.
