Willem van de Velde the Elder

The HMS York

Willem van de Velde the Elder and his son and pupil Willem van de Velde the Younger (1633 – 1707) are the most famous marine artists of the Dutch Golden Age. Willem van de Velde the Elder is primarily known as a draughtsman. Paintings by Willem van de Velde the Elder are a rarity. Robinson records only eight paintings as securely autograph by Van de Velde the Elder, e.g. which are entirely or substantially by his hand. The present unpublished painting was not included but in a letter Robinson endorses the attribution and dates it to around 1681. At the end of 1672 he left with his son for England at the invitation of Charles II to become painter of the Court.