The artist has created an impression of the mid-17th-century port of Genoa with shipping in the harbour to the left. A Dutch man-of-war can be seen in port-bow view on the left. Behind, to the right, a ship has fired a salute and further to the right smoke is shown rising from the hull of a ship. This may show the process of breaming which was the method of removing weed and barnacles from the underside of a ship by burning. The towers and bridge of the city can be seen, as well as other Dutch ships on the far side of the harbour. In the foreground are two mounted gentlemen, the one in front being led by a man-servant and a dog. Led towards them, on the far right, are two donkeys laden with baskets. Looming above and immediately behind them is the ruin of a tower with an inscription on the tablet, while in the distance there is a fortress on the hill.

Although the artist was born in Holland, he moved to Rome in 1656 and stayed there until 1668. During which time he adopted an Italian palette, which can be seen in this painting.