A view from the shoreline of Amsterdam of shipping in the Y, which is the waterfront and harbour of Amsterdam. In the distance the masts of a number of ships can be seen, together with various buildings indicating the city of Amsterdam. A large Dutch East Indiaman is shown at anchor. The carved and painted figure of a woman, probably a saint, is visible on her stern and she flies the Dutch flag and pennant. At the bow, she flies the flag of the United Provinces. In the foreground, a Dutch East India Company barge is going out to meet the merchantman. She conveys a number of distinguished people with the women wearing ornate head-dresses. The dress of the men also identifies them as men of position and a man stands in the bow holding a boat hook. Several river craft are shown on the right; the smaller craft carries fishing pots on board. On the left, a river craft is approaching a quay for its passengers to disembark. In the water in the foreground on the right, a group of women have been depicted bathing.