In this scene, Volanakis combines three of his favourite aspects: a genre theme, a nighttime scene and the pictorial rendering of contrasts; deep darkness and bright light, action and quiescence.

The seascape includes some of Volanakis’ familiar pictorial features: on the left, in the background, the open sea with the recognisable sailboat sailing away, and further back a steamship disappearing into the horizon. The land, a massif with buildings on the beach, and sailing vessels are outlined on the right. The main scene unfolds in the centre with unparalleled detailed descriptions: on a one-masted fishing sailboat, fishermen have cast their nets into the sea. One fisherman is holding the torch, the other two are hauling in the nets and a fourth one is holding the rope of the boat on the side.

The surrounding atmosphere is imposing; the elaborate overcast sky, the deep darkness spreading menacingly over the calm sea and the blinding light of the fire captivating the eye.