Ludolf Backhuysen

Ships in a stormy sea

Ships on a stormy sea is superbly executed and was painted some 40 years later than our other Backhuysen; the convincing way in which the ships and the atmosphere are rendered is particularly noteworthy. The artist has exploited light-dark contrasts to great effect: as dark clouds gather on the upper left, the waves are illuminated by a beautiful white light. It must be cold: on the right we see a snow covered mountain top, the only known work by Backhuysen to depict snow.