This painting is a starboard-side depiction of HMS ‘Magicienne’, a Medea-class protected cruiser launched in 1888. The vessel is shown alone on a choppy sea on a cloudy day, steaming at standard speed, with smoke billowing from its twin yellow funnels. The ship is shown flying the white ensign from its aft mast, which had become the sole and standard Royal Naval ensign by this point. A long steaming pennant can also be seen flying at the top of the same aft mast. The figures of crewmembers can be seen on the ship’s bridge, as well as its array of lifeboats and powerful armament. A flight of seagulls can be seen ahead and to port of the ship in the background, but otherwise the ‘Magicienne’ is alone in this painting.