The central subject is a man wearing a dark top hat, a patterned shirt, and a dark waistcoat, captured in the act of rowing a wooden boat. His gaze is directed toward the left, and he has a groomed beard and moustache. The boat occupies the lower half of the scene, with the wooden oars extending outward into the water. In the background, to the right, a smaller boat carrying two figures is visible on the river.
The setting is a serene river scene surrounded by lush, green trees that line the banks. The composition is centered on the rower, creating a portrait-like focus within a landscape environment. The water surface is depicted with subtle ripples and reflected light, suggesting a calm, clear day. The background elements are slightly softer, emphasizing the rower as the primary focal point of the piece.
The colour palette features natural, muted tones, with deep greens in the foliage and varying shades of grey and blue in the rippling water. The man's clothing provides a dark contrast against the lighter, wooden tones of the boat. The lighting appears soft and diffused, characteristic of impressionistic painting styles that capture natural daylight without harsh shadows. The style is distinctly impressionist, using visible brushstrokes and an emphasis on movement and light, resulting in a painterly, textured appearance.