A group of twelve fishing people standing around some baskets

A figure study of group of fishing people standing round baskets in conversation.

As indicated by an inscription on the back of the mount, this drawing was attributed to Willem van de Velde, the Elder, in the early 18th century: 'Wm. Vanderveld Sen. No. 59'. It is one of eleven drawings, mostly showing fishing people, from the Milford Collection, which was formed about 1730. The study was presumably made about 1655 when van de Velde was particularly busy with grisailles, in which he introduced groups of fishing people in the foreground. The unsigned drawing may show the influence of Simon de Vlieger’s work, whom van de Velde was on friendly terms with at the time.

Object Details

ID: PAE5179
Collection: Fine art
Type: Drawing
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Velde, Willem van de, the Elder
Date made: 1655?
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Secondary support: 159 mm x 219 mm; Primary support: 127 mm x 175 mm; Mount: 316 mm x 483 mm