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A Dutch Fleet Under Sail at Sea in a Light Breeze

1665
Not on view
Willem van de Velde was one of the first marine artists to sail with the Dutch fleet and rely not on written or oral observation for his paintings of naval engagements but on the sketches he drew from life. He could match any shipbuilder in his knowledge of ships, their rigging and habits. This drawing may have been sketched on the spot while the artist was sailing with the Dutch fleet before the Battle of Lowestoft (Second Anglo-Dutch War) in June 1665. The washes would have been added later in the studio.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: A Dutch Fleet Under Sail at Sea in a Light Breeze
  • Artist: Willem van de Velde I (Dutch, Leiden 1611–1693 London)
  • Date: 1665
  • Medium: Pencil and gray wash on two sheets of paper joined 11.5 cm. from the left.
  • Dimensions: 10 9/16 x 21 in. (26.8 x 53.3 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.814
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Peasants, Willem van de Velde I Dutch, Pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash
Peasants
Willem van de Velde I
17th century
Dutch Ships on a Harbour, Willem van de Velde I Dutch, Pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash, on vellum
Dutch Ships on a Harbour
Willem van de Velde I
17th century
A Dutch Ship in a Strong Breeze, Willem van de Velde I (and another hand) Dutch, Brush and gray ink and gray wash over preliminary drawing in pencil.
A Dutch Ship in a Strong Breeze
Willem van de Velde I
ca. 1665
Dutch Merchant Ships at Anchor or under Easy Sail in a Moderate Breeze, Willem van de Velde I (and another hand) Dutch, Pencil, brush and grayish brown wash
Dutch Merchant Ships at Anchor or under Easy Sail in a Moderate Breeze
Willem van de Velde I
ca. 1658
An English Royal Yacht, Willem van de Velde I Dutch, Pencil, brush and gray ink and gray wash.
An English Royal Yacht
Willem van de Velde I
ca. 1677

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