In a calm setting, clays portrays a variety of vessels in this outstanding large work. He knew his subjects well, having begun work early in life in maritime industry, where he composed varied artistic renderings of his familiar environments.
Clays generates great light reflections throughout the harbor, displayed upon the slightly rippled water. His use of light brushstrokes to represent the ships' hulls is complimented and contrasted by the utilization of a palette knife for the largest ship's heavily textured white sails.
This large vessel, a bark, appears to be flying a 19th century French flag from the main. At least one row boat has been lowered for her disembarking crew, with another before the bark's bow. It is interesting to note the different types of vessels present in the painting. Clays shows, from left to right, a Dutch sailing Kaag with sideboard, the bark, several sailing vessels, a paddle wheel steamer, a screw steamer with sails, and a full-rigged ship. All have safely found the comfort of this calm port fashioned by clays amongst the uncertainties of life and business on the seas.
