A representation of Dutch shipping off the harbour and city of Algiers. The principal ships fly the Dutch flag and are possibly merchantmen of the Dutch Company. The vessels in the centre and the far right are Mediterranean galleys. The town of Algiers rises on the hill behind the port with its distinctive fortified lighthouse at the end of the mole. A pair of dolphins is depicted in the foreground in the bay, a typical motif of Dutch marine artists.

Reinier Nooms, known as Zeeman, was born and died in Amsterdam. As his name suggests he spent his early life at sea, and he painted in the Dutch realist style with a lively palette. It is signed on the Dutch flag on the main mast of the nearer ship.