Dutch Ships in a Calm Sea

Willem van de Velde (II), c. 1665

A few warships in a calm sea: their sails are being hoisted, their anchors raised. The small squadron is getting ready to depart. A sloop with dignitaries rows past the ships, to the sounding of trumpets and firing of salutes. Already in 1778, this painting was described in a sales catalogue as being exceptional: ‘one of the best gems by this outstanding marine painter.’

Artwork typepainting
Object numberSK-C-1707
Dimensionsheight 86.8 cm x width 120 cm
Physical characteristicsoil on canvas

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Ships before the Coast

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Willem van de Velde (II), c. 1680

The Cannon Shot

Willem van de Velde (II), c. 1680

Ships before the Coast

Willem van de Velde (II), after 1670

The Capture of the Royal Prince

Willem van de Velde (II), c. 1670

Captured English Ships after the Four Days’ Battle

Willem van de Velde (II), c. 1666

Captured English Ships after the Four Days’ Battle

Encounter during the Battle of Kijkduin

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Identification

Title(s)
Dutch Ships in a Calm Sea
Object type
Object number
SK-C-1707
Description
Op een weidse, kalme zee liggen zes oorlogsschepen. De zeilen worden gehesen, de ankers gelicht. De spiegel van het schip rechts op de voorgrond is gedecoreerd met het wapen van Amsterdam, opgehouden door twee staande leeuwen. Waarschijnlijk gaat het hier om een deel van een oorlogsvloot die zich gereedmaakt voor vertrek. Een sloep met deftige figuren, waarschijnlijk van de Admiraliteit, vaart onder trompetgeschal en saluutschoten langs de schepen, terwijl even verderop de laatste proviand en bemanning nog aan boord wordt genomen. Opvallend is de enorme accuratesse in de weergave van details: tuigage, zeilen en kanonnen.
Inscriptions / marks
- label: ‘VAN DE VELDE’
- inscription: ‘YE 882/ 2 OMP, YE 882/ 2 C8’
- inscription: ‘THOS.AGNEW & SON LTD./ W.O. 725/ 72’
- signature: ‘willem:van velde f’
- inscription: ‘YE8 82’

Creation

Creation
painter: Willem van de Velde (II), Netherlands
Dating
c. 1665
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Material and technique

Physical description
oil on canvas
Dimensions
height 86.8 cm x width 120 cm

This work is about

Subject

Acquisition and rights

Credit line
On loan from the Broere Charitable Foundation
Copyright
Public domain
Provenance
Inv.; collection Abraham Wildey Robarts, M.P. (1779-1858), Berkeley Square, London, 1856;{According to the catalogue for the sale, London (Christie's), 6 December 2011, no. 9.} his son, Abraham John Robarts (1838-1926), London, 1918;{Hofstede de Groot VII, 1918, p. 39, no. 118.} by descent through the family;{According to the catalogue for the sale, London (Christie's), 6 December 2011, no. 9.} anonymous sale [section 'the property of a family trust'], London (Christie's), 6 December 2011, no. 9, £ 5,921,250, to the present owner; from whom on loan to the museum, since 2012
Remarks
Please note that this provenance was formulated with a special focus on provenance research for the years 1933-45 and could therefore be incomplete. There may be more (mostly earlier) provenance information known in the museum. In case this item has an uncertain or incomplete provenance for the years 1933-45, the Rijksmuseum welcomes information and assistance in the investigation and clarification of the provenance of all works during that era.