Artwork
Segelschiffe auf rauer See
Segelschiffe auf rauer See is an oil painting by Justus de Verwer. It dates from 1667 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Justus de Verwer, an Amsterdam‑based painter of the Dutch Golden Age, executed the oil work *Segelschiffe auf rauer See* circa 1667. The canvas depicts a fleet of small, sail‑driven vessels battling a turbulent sea under a cloud‑filled sky, rendered in a palette of deep blues and grays punctuated by shafts of light.
Subject & Meaning
The composition concentrates on maritime activity, showing several ships with billowing sails and flags, their crews visible on deck. The chaotic water and shifting directions of the vessels convey the perils of navigation and the resilience required of sailors confronting harsh weather.
Technique & Style
De Verwer employed layered oil applications to model the churning waves and atmospheric depth, allowing the darker tones of the sea to recede while highlights suggest sunlight breaking through the clouds. The handling of light and texture reflects the Dutch marine tradition of precise, observational rendering.
History & Provenance
Born to Abraham de Verwer, a marine painter, Justus inherited his father’s artistic focus. After a stint with the Dutch East India Company (1651‑1656) that took him to the East Indies, he settled back in Amsterdam, married in 1659, and pursued a career in marine painting. The work now belongs to the collection of Kunsthaus Zürich.
Context
The painting belongs to a period when Dutch artists frequently documented seafaring life, driven by the nation’s commercial expansion and naval power. De Verwer’s experience with the East India Company likely informed his realistic portrayal of ships and sea conditions.
Artist & collection
Artist
Justus de Verwer (Amsterdam, c. 1626 - Amsterdam, 12 November 1689) was a Dutch painter and illustrator from the period of the Golden Age. De Verwer was the son and pupil of Abraham de Verwer and followed him in style…
Schiffe in rauer See
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Rough Sea
Vessels in a Moderate Breeze
Schiffe auf stürmischer See
Seascape
Bewegte See mit Fischerbooten
A Dutch Warship on a Rough Sea
Two Ships at Anchor
A threemaster with the Amsterdam coat-of-arms, with other vessels, in a storm
Ships Sailing and Beating up against the Wind in the Sound