Constable's father, Golding Constable, owned Flatford Mill, on the River Stour, which formed the subject of many of his son’s greatest paintings. This print depicts the view west from the boat dock at Flatford Mill towards Flatford Bridge, with sailing barges on the river. The church at Dedham is just visible on the horizon. It is based on large painting, View on the Stour near Dedham (Royal Holloway College, University of London). The children fishing were probably modelled on Constable’s two eldest children, John and Minna.