Frederick Calvert was born in Cork but worked mainly from London as a painter of shipping and coastal scenes. He appears to have been successful as an artist from around 1811. As well as working in oils he also made watercolours and topographical engravings which were reproduced in books.

In this painting Calvert shows boats off the coast of the Isle of Wight. The scene is bathed in a fine evening or morning light. Calvert clearly enjoyed emphasising waves. Though here they are well defined in the foreground, the scene feels quite tranquil. The passengers seem still and at ease, untroubled by the waves and circling sea birds.