Contrasting the frenzy of activity at the left and right and the calm of the sea at the centre foreground, this image presents a balanced view of typical harbour activity. Technique includes roulette work.

In the late 1920s (probably 1928) Wyllie visited the Mediterranean. The resulting works included two paintings exhibited at the Royal Academy: 'The temple of Pallas Athene from the sea' (1929), and 'Athens from the Gulf of Aegina', exhibited posthumously in 1931. He also produced a set of six drypoints of the Mediterranean, among them views of Gibraltar, Naples and Malta. Related works include PAF1471, PAF2007.

W. L. Wyllie (1851-1931) was a British Marine artist. Born in London, Wyllie painted, drew, and etched Thames scenes throughout his life. He moved to Portsmouth in 1907, where he continued working, supported the restoration of the Victory and painted the Trafalgar Panorama. Early in his career Wyllie was an illustrator for The Graphic, and he became a member of the Royal Academy in 1907.