Artwork

View of Scheveningen with the embarkation of Charles II for England on 23 may 1660

View of Scheveningen with the embarkation of Charles II for England on 23 may 1660 is a drawing by the Baroque artist Jan de Bisschop. It dates from 4 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The drawing offers a panoramic northward perspective of Scheveningen, showing the coastal settlement with its church and village structures on the left side of the composition. To the right, a fleet of English ships lies at anchor, while a lively procession of carriages, carts, and a dense crowd advances toward the shoreline, creating a vivid snapshot of a historic embarkation.

Subject & Meaning

The scene records the departure of Charles II for England on 23 May 1660, capturing the moment when the restored monarch and his retinue left the Dutch coast. The inclusion of both civilian onlookers and the naval contingent underscores the public significance of the event and reflects the communal celebration surrounding the monarch's return.

Technique & Style

Executed in pen and ink, the artist employs varied line work and cross‑hatching to suggest depth, texture, and movement. Fine strokes delineate architectural details of the church and village, while broader, more gestural lines convey the bustling crowd and the distant ships, achieving a balanced sense of scale across the coastal landscape.

History & Provenance

The drawing is believed to have been a gift from its creator to Charles II himself. It later entered the possession of John Drayton Wyatt, a noted collector, before being acquired by a museum in 1891, where it has remained part of the institution’s holdings.

Context

Created during the Baroque period, the work reflects contemporary interest in documenting significant political events through detailed topographical sketches. Scheveningen, a prominent Dutch fishing port, served as a strategic departure point, and the depiction of the English fleet highlights the maritime alliances of the era.