Wherever Boudin worked, his subject matter remained essentially the same. Here it is only the draped Dutch flag that confirms this as a Dutch scene. A narrow, busy street was a favourite motif, for it presented him with a variety of artistic challenges, including that of incorporating the human figure into a townscape. Boudin suggests the diversity of activity of the local people going about their everyday lives, yet avoids anecdote, preferring instead to capture the characteristic movements, gestures, attitudes and costumes of the individual figures.

Like many of Boudin's oils, 'A Street in Dordrecht' is painted on a small wooden panel. Because they were easily portable, Boudin could take several panels with him on an excursion and, seated on his collapsible stool, could work directly facing his motif.