In the foreground are a number of small boats carrying people out to take a closer look at the Tsar and view the spectacle unfolding around them. The scene was graphically described in a contemporary print by Caspar Luyken. Abraham Storck probably made several paintings of the mock battle soon afterwards. A contemporary account states that Peter was so delighted with the whole performance that at his request it was repeated several weeks later. This provided Storck with another opportunity to make sketches and record the event.

He had trained and worked with his father and became a member of the Guild of St Luke in Amsterdam. His river and coastal scenes were influenced by Ludolf Backhuysen, Willem van de Velde the younger and Jan Abrahamsz Beerstraten. He showed considerable accuracy in depicting ships' rigging and technical details, and his Dutch harbour and river views often depict the recreational and ceremonial aspects of shipping. In particular he concentrated on showing pleasure yachts and ceremonial gatherings of ships. He also concentrated on depictions of both spectators and passengers. In such work he showed great skill depicting the human figure, through characterisation and attention to costume and detail.