Artwork
The prince's yacht and the sate yacht leaving Moerdijk with Charles II of England on board, 1660
The prince's yacht and the sate yacht leaving Moerdijk with Charles II of England on board, 1660 is an ink painting by Willem van de Velde the elder. It dates from 1688 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
This 1688 ink painting by Willem van de Velde the Elder depicts the prince's yacht and the state yacht departing Moerdijk with Charles II of England on board, showcasing the artist's expertise in detailed maritime scenes.
Subject & Meaning
The serene scene captures a specific historical moment: the departure of Charles II from Moerdijk in 1660, highlighted by flags, sails, and figures on board and along the shore, conveying a sense of dignified procession.
Technique & Style
Rendered in ink, the work features delicate lines, subtle shading, and cross-hatching to achieve texture and depth, characteristic of van de Velde's initial focus on precise ink drawings before his later adoption of oil paints.
History & Provenance
Created in 1688 by Willem van de Velde the Elder, the painting is now part of the Rijksmuseum's collection, reflecting the artist's influence within the Dutch Golden Age seascape tradition.
Context
This piece exemplifies the marine genre popular during the Dutch Golden Age, with van de Velde's work influenced by, yet distinct from, his son's style, which he would later emulate in his transition to oil painting.
Legacy
As part of the Rijksmuseum's collection, the painting contributes to the preserved legacy of Willem van de Velde the Elder's detailed maritime artworks, offering insight into 17th-century Dutch nautical life and artistic techniques.
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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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