Embarkation of the Admiralty

The painting depicts the hustle and bustle on the Marsdiep between Den Helder and Texel, the only approach from the North Sea for larger ships bound for Amsterdam and the trading cities of West Friesland. Cargo was transferred to smaller ships here and fresh water and provisions were taken on board of outgoing ships before long sea voyages. In the anecdotal depiction of the scene, a three-master still has its hatches open for loading while a shallop is bringing the admiralty on board to the sound of fanfare.