Mistley Hall is shown in a dramatic afternoon light, idyllically located on the banks of the River Stour. Martin had two long periods of time in England, 1768–80, when he studied at the Royal Academy in London, among other activities, and 1789–92. In addition to landscapes and portraits, at this time Martin also drew and painted different genre pictures. Landscape paintings in the growing English Romantic movement made a particular impression on him.