Carl Kylberg’s seascapes are dreamlike and enigmatic, capturing sunsets, ships on the horizon, calm seas, and serene atmospheres. As a teenager, he sailed on the training ship Abraham Rydberg, inspired by his older brother. These experiences later inspired some of his most famous works, including The Flying Dutchman, where mysterious ships appear in shimmering light and soft shadows. Kylberg often recalled his existential encounter with the infinite sea and the solitary ship at dusk, a memory that deeply influenced his art.

While influenced by Van Gogh’s liberating technique and occasionally compared to Turner for their synthesis of human and natural elements, Kylberg remained distinct, using color to evoke emotion rather than dramatize reality. His painting "Morgon i hamn" exemplifies his mature style, with intense color, horizontal bands of land and sea, and a sailing ship symbolizing both journey and longing.