A square-rigged sailing ship rides a dark, rough sea at the left, with a faint pale glow at its hull. A full moon breaks through heavy, swirling clouds, lighting their edges in copper and gold. Small black bats scatter across the sky.

On the right, waves crash against a jagged shore and ruined-looking cliffs, throwing up white foam. The painting is dramatic and romantic. Thick, textured strokes turn the clouds and swell into rolling movement, and the palette stays dark, in deep navy and weathered brown with warm highlights.