[1] Although Lane spent much of his life in Massachusetts, he had a strong incentive during the early 1850s to spend time in New York City, a busy seaport full of activity for a maritime artist.

Second, Lane was hired by Chambers & Heiser, a New York merchant shipping line, to paint the company's new vessel, Golden State.

Chambers & Heiser had brought him to New York during the previous year to paint the company's clipper ship Sweepstakes.

Luminism uses careful attention to light in landscapes, aerial perspective, and concealment of visible brushstrokes to emphasize tranquility.

[4] Second, Golden State shows strong influence onto Lane's work from Robert Salmon (1775-1845), an English artist who lived in Boston and was the preeminent marine painter of his time.

Additionally, Lane had established a market for his art in Boston; he wanted his New York exhibitions to add to his business success.