Dutch Squadron attacking a Spanish Fortress Apron

The subject of this painting is a Dutch naval attack on a fortress by the sea which is defended by Spanish ships and armed soldiers. The fort stands on raised ground, on the left, behind some low tree-topped dunes. A long line of armed men can be seen at the foot of the fortifications. The Dutch men-of-war are sailing in from the right under a fair sky but waves lash the sand. In the foreground there is a galley flying the Burgundian flag, which was carried by all ships of the Spanish-occupied Netherlands, and a striped awning on the stern. The Spanish man-of-war beyond it flies a flag showing the Virgin Mary upon a crescent moon. It is shown in stern and starboard view, full of armed men, setting off to confront the invaders.