Dutch Boats in a Gale ('The Bridgewater Sea Piece')
- Artist: Joseph Mallord William Turner
- Date: 1801
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "Dutch Boats in a Gale" ('The Bridgewater Sea Piece') by Joseph Mallord William Turner. Painted in 1801, this piece is an excellent example of the artist's skill in capturing the power and drama of the sea.
Note how the dark clouds contribute to the sense of danger and foreboding. The painting was actually commissioned by the 3rd Duke of Bridgewater as a companion piece to a 17th-century Dutch seascape he already owned, which adds an interesting layer to its creation.
The medium used is oil on canvas, which gives the painting a rich, textured feel that suits the turbulent sea depicted here. Turner's use of light and shadow is masterful, drawing the viewer's eye into the heart of the storm.
See it in person
Dutch Boats in a Gale ('The Bridgewater Sea Piece') 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.
