 Though he began as a portraitist, at the age of 38 Patersen concentrated on cityscapes and after move to St Petersburg devoted his art to that city.Around 1800, on a commission by Tsar Paul I, Patersen created a series of works depicting the banks of the Neva, which earned him an appointment as court painter.Most of his cityscapes feature the defined horizon line and bluish of golden 
tone system, sky and waters of the Neva often play significant roles in the composition.