A Dutch Flagship at Anchor and a States Yacht under Sail

Willem van de Velde the younger (1633-1707)
oil on canvas, 41.5 x 60.5cm
signed (lower right, on stakes of wood) with initials, W.V.V.

Characteristically for this painter's production, one of a pair. Its companion, the so-called Dutch Men o'War in a choppy sea, also hangs at Boughton. The pair is dated c. 1664 by Robinson, being painted 'directly and accurately as regards the ships and vessels, as would be expected for a picture painted in the 1660's'. The States yacht on the left bears the arms of Amsterdam on the taffrail; the pennant at the ensign staff may indicate a yacht of the admiralty. The ship on the right is one of the larger 60-gun ships, most likely the Huis te Oosterwyck when Cornelius Tromp flew his flag in her in the autumn of 1664.

An engraving (in reverse) by P. C. Canot was published in London on 1 December 1773 by John Boydell, as Light Air of Wind, 41 x 58.4cm.

PROVENANCE by 1773 in the collection of George Brudenell, Duke of Montagu; his daughter Elizabeth, who married Henry, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch; thence by descent.

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