A River Scene with Dutch Vessels Becalmed
- Artist: Jan van de Cappelle
- Date: about 1650
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "A River Scene with Dutch Vessels Becalmed" painted in the Dutch tradition. The artist, Jan van de Cappelle, was a prominent marine painter of his time, known for capturing the beauty and majesty of sailing vessels. Here we see several barges and smaller boats at rest on the water, their sails limp and still.
The sky dominates nearly two-thirds of the painting, but it's the subtle play of light on the sailcloth that really catches the eye - browns, ochres, and touches of white catching the sun and turning pale gold. Notice how van de Cappelle has left many of the vessels in shadow, creating a sense of depth and mystery.
To the right is a small punt carrying turf or peat, its flag drooping in the still air. Below it, on the water's surface, we see what appears to be a makeshift rudder, possibly constructed by the men whose laundry hangs out on a boom above. The scene is so serene that you almost forget that these vessels are at anchor, waiting for the wind to fill their sails.
The painting dates back to around 1650, a time when van de Cappelle was at the height of his powers as an artist and merchant. He eventually gave up painting altogether, focusing on his business interests instead.
See it in person
A River Scene with Dutch Vessels Becalmed hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
