Artwork
The Batlle of Livorno, 14 March 1653: episode from the First Anglo-Dutch War (1652-54)
The Batlle of Livorno, 14 March 1653: episode from the First Anglo-Dutch War (1652-54) is an ink painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Willem van de Velde the elder. It dates from 1654 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Willem van de Velde the Elder produced this ink drawing in 1654, depicting a naval clash that occurred on 14 March 1653 off the coast of Livorno. The work records a specific episode of the First Anglo‑Dutch War (1652–54), focusing on the violent encounter known as the Battle of Leghorn.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a crowded seascape of combat, with ships tightly grouped, many ablaze or listing as they succumb to the tumultuous sea. Smoke and debris fill the sky, emphasizing the disorder and devastation of 17th‑century naval warfare.
Technique & Style
Executed entirely in ink, the drawing showcases van de Velde’s meticulous attention to the architecture of vessels, from hulls to rigging. Fine line work creates texture and depth, while the dense hatching conveys the churning water and the billowing smoke overhead.
History & Provenance
Originally created as a historical record, the piece remained in the artist’s oeuvre before entering the Rijksmuseum’s collection, where it is currently held. It represents an early stage of van de Velde’s career, prior to his later transition to oil painting.
Context
The Battle of Leghorn was a significant engagement between English and Dutch fleets during the first phase of their protracted conflict. Van de Velde, renowned for his accurate maritime depictions, used such scenes to document the tactical and material realities of the war.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Willem van de Velde the Elder (1610/11 – 13 December 1693) was a Dutch Golden Age seascape painter, who produced many precise drawings of ships and ink paintings of fleets, but later learned to use oil paints like his son.
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