As a born and raised Rotterdammer, Hendrik Veder had a close relationship with the water. The Nieuwe Maas, the heart of 'his' city, and the nearby North Sea coast offered him a lot of inspiration. His oeuvre mainly consists of beach and seascapes, he also painted landscapes and some harbor views. It can be deduced from his work that he traveled far; for example, Italian and oriental beach scenes are known of him. He was also a shipowner and founder of a sailmaker's shop in Rotterdam. It is therefore likely that he painted as a hobby. That he was known as a professional artist, however, is apparent from the fact that he submitted work several times during the years 1869-1894 for the annual Exhibition of Living Masters.