An English Vessel and Dutch Ships Becalmed
- Artist: Willem van de Velde
- Date: about 1660
- Medium: oil on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the "An English Vessel and Dutch Ships Becalmed" by Willem van de Velde. Painted in the early 17th century, it's a beautiful example of Dutch Golden Age art. Here you see two Dutch merchant ships alongside an English ketch in the foreground. Each vessel has been depicted with incredible accuracy - look at the intricate rigging and curved sails that give life to these stationary boats.
The calm sea allows for a wide view of the sky, where puffy clouds drift serenely along. This low horizon creates space for the geometry of masts and sails, drawing your eye through the composition. The artist's use of oil on wood gives the painting a sense of depth and texture that pulls you in.
Van de Velde was known as an exceptionally gifted painter of ships, and this piece showcases his attention to detail and skill at capturing the subtleties of light and shadow. It's a stunning representation of life at sea during this period, and it's clear why it remains such a beloved work in the art world today.
See it in person
An English Vessel and Dutch Ships 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.
