Vitringa painted all sorts of marines, from arctic views to Italianate harbours, and there even is a rare genre scene by his hand. Our small panel, however, is typical of the marines that Vitringa painted most often. It is a fine specimen of the distinct manner he developed inspired by Bakhuizen, one marked by a subtle tonal palette and a clear chiaroscuro. Here, the low horizon and tossing waves in the foreground lend a dramatic monumentality to the scene.
Vitringa was the son of Horatius, a prominent lawyer in Leeuwarden. In 1678 Wigerus himself obtained his doctorate in law and set up his own law firm at Leeuwarden. By that time he was already active as an artist as well. Vitringa worked in Leeuwarden for most of his life, but in around 1692 moved to Alkmaar where he joined the guild as late as 1696. Around 1708 he returned to Friesland, still painting a little and actively teaching. Later in life his eyesight deteriorated, causing him to paint less and less.