Peter Van de Velde

PETER VAN DE VELDE (Antwerp, 1634 - 1723/24).
"Dutch seascape", second half of the seventeenth century.
Oil on canvas. Relined.
Professionally restored.
Measurements: 83 x 120 cm; 96 x 133 cm (frame).

In this magnificent seascape Peter Van de Velde gives us a lively view of an estuary with sailing ships. Many ships in a rough sea, Dutch merchant fleets and Dutch "kaag" ships carrying the Dutch flag next to the Dutch "double prince" flag of the Admiralty of Amsterdam (thinner red, white and blue horizontal lines) flood the convulsive representation.

Pieter van den Velde was born in Antwerp in 1634. Here, he built a modest reputation as a marine painter specializing in depictions of turbulent seas and naval battles. Relatively little is known about his life and work, although he became master of the Antwerp guild of St. Luke in 1654. From 1671, he sold paintings regularly through the art dealers Forchoudt and exported several works to Vienna. Debate continues about Pieter van den Velde's relationship to the prominent Dutch family of van de Velde marine artists, and although there is no certainty about his connection to the van de Velde's, it is believed that he was a distant relative. He died in Antwerp around 1714. Van de Velde's works are in prestigious collections and museums: Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Residenz Gemadegalerie in Ansbach, Statens Konstmuseum in Stockholm, National Museum in Kiev, Museum of Fine Arts in Lille, Greenwich National Maritime Museum in London, Nostitz Museum in Prague, Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.

The Netherlands was a world power in the 17th century, so this period is known as the Golden Age. Trade flourished, the military fleet grew, and the arts and sciences were an example to the world. This period is also considered the heyday of the Dutch school of marine painting. It also owes its flourishing to the religious freedom that prevailed there, which displaced Christian-dominated images and gave way to everyday scenes. Because of the enormous wealth of the Dutch, less affluent citizens became potential buyers of works of art. Since they preferred the depiction of their daily lives to mythological themes that were difficult to decipher, painters adapted their offerings.