A panel painting showing an action between English and Spanish ships, with the English ships on the right. There is a galley on the left, with a Spanish galley beyond. The ships are seen approaching one another, all at different angles. The ships appear to be heavily laden, almost certainly with soldiers. This is particularly so of the ship behind the galley on the left. In the distance there is a large amount of shipping. In the centre foreground a smaller craft is carrying officers. Another smaller boat is being towed by one of the galleons.

he artist has painted the sea to give the impression of a heavy swell. The Flemish painter’s seascapes are often dramatic and he has signed the painting ‘ANDRI[ES] VAN [ARTVELT]’.