This painting is a prime example of 17th century Dutch Marine painting of the "Golden Age". The vast blue and white of the sky, illumined by hazy sunshine, opens out over the still surface of the water, the foreground of which reveals skilful reflections. During the midday calm, two flat-bottomed ships for inland and coastal navigation are anchored in the foreground: in front a barge ("kaag"), behind it a "smalschip". In the background to the left a mighty frigate can be seen, on whose starboard side another "smalschip" is under sail. In the far distance to the right, a "fleute" - a merchant ship - has just fired off a cannon salute; the cannon smoke still floats over the water.