Albert Pinkham Ryder repeatedly visited the Hudson River in New York at night, watching boats pass by moonlight. This painting is an evocative vision of that experience, with olive and ochre tones creating a somber mood. The painting has an unusual texture—compare its surface to the paintings nearby. Ryder used rather eccentric techniques, often applying paint in thick layers, using unconventional materials such as grease and candle wax, and reworking a painting over a period of years until he was satisfied.