At the outset of his career Berchem favoured religious, mythological and allegorical motifs that were familiar to his Dutch compatriots with their close knowledge of the Bible. In later years a relaxation of certain social conventions started to leave its mark on Berchem’s views of Mediterranean harbours. In these compositions – entirely the fruits of the artist’s imagination – fairytale Oriental figures, theatrically clad musicians and fashionable ladies and gentlemen disport themselves against a Mediterranean backdrop. These brilliantly imaginative groups of figures paved the way for the irreal society games of the Rococo.