A scene showing a flagship in the centre with an ornately carved golden stern. This is probably the carved figure of Hercules, shown bowed from the burden of the world held on his shoulders. The ship may therefore have been named the 'Hercules' and the two figures carved on either side of 'Hercules' may represent his attributes of astronomy and thus a propitious image for a ship. The Dutch flag flies from the stern and mast, together with a pennant. The ship is shown firing a salute, an action that is repeated by the ship to the left. This also flies a Dutch flag from the stern, on which the artist has placed his signature. A number of other ships are visible in the background, and a smaller vessel is shown on the left with a rocky landscape behind. In the foreground on the right a small rowing boat with six people on board travels towards the 'Hercules'. A barrel floats in the foreground, which was often included as an artistic device on which to place the artist's monogram or date of the painting. The rocky coastline and golden glow may be intended to imply a Mediterranean setting.

Born in Hoorn, Hendrik Rietschoof was the pupil and follower of his father Jan Claesz Rietschoof.