Peder Balke got the inspiration for the painting during his first extended trip in 1832 to seek out North Norwegian nature.

The dramatic landscape along the northern Norwegian coast impressed him and he returned to Stetind as a motif on several occasions later in life.

Similar motifs are also in the 26 sketches that he sold to King Louis Philippe of France, which are now in the Louvre in Paris.

[1][2] The painting is a dramatic composition in the Romantic tradition and depicts the relationship of man to the forces of nature.

Out in the wind are two boats and a small group of people standing on a rock knoll looking out over the sea.