Yacht of the Princes of Orange and Other Ships

Beerstraaten employs a layered glazing technique to achieve luminous sky and water effects, allowing subtle color shifts across the clouds and gentle ripples. Fine brushwork delineates the rigging and hull details, while broader strokes convey the expansive sea, creating depth without sacrificing the precision of individual ships.

Created in 1651, the painting entered the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where it remains on view. It has been cited as an example of Beerstraaten’s documented approach to marine subjects, often serving as visual records of contemporary naval events and harbor landscapes.