Matthieu van Plattenberg - Shipping in a River Estuary

An early painting by this artist, whose speciality was storm scenes at sea. A merchant ship with an ornately carved stern, is at anchor on the right, flying the Dutch flag. A fort can be seen in the distance together with the masts of other shipping. Land is visible in the far distance in the centre of the image. In the foreground a small craft rows across the scene with several figures on board; two hold barge poles and the third man is depicted rowing. A streak of light illuminates the sea in the foreground, drawing attention to the small boat. On the left a coastal craft contains figures who are probably engaged with fishing nets, and there is another small rowing boat to the left. On the left, in the far distance, is the entrance to a harbour, and other shipping visible in the distance. There is a barrel floating in the sea in the foreground to the left, bearing an indistinct inscription which may be the artist's initials. Upright piles have been sunk into the shore on the right. A source of brilliant light plays through the clouds and on the water, which serves to highlight the waves.