The painting depicts a somewhat deformed face of a figure expressing terror. This is suggested by the open mouth, ready to scream. It is likely that this is a silent cry of desperation, the inability to articulate any sound in the face of terror.
Behind the figure there are two shadows, presumably in pursuit of the figure for sinister purposes, or perhaps they are indifferent to the figure's suffering. The background of the scene is the sea in shades of black and gray, suggesting the impossibility of escaping from the pursuing figures, and the expression of the tormented, terrified face expresses it.
