A Dutch flute, 'St John Baptist', is depicted on the left together with another ship positioned on the right. A flute was usually used as a merchant ship and was a full-sterned vessel with narrow works built up aft. The stern of the flute is ornately carved and bears the motif of the ship, an image of John the Baptist, holding a cross in his left hand. Her anchor is visible and a number of figures have been depicted on the deck.

Very little is known of the artist, except that he lived in Rotterdam and practised as a naval architect. He was a draughtsman in the art of making grisaille pictures and his work is closely identified with that of Willem van de Velde the Elder. The picture is signed 'C P Mööy' on the spar positioned left of centre and it is further identified and dated on the ship's transom beam, 'De S IAN/16/68'.