This scene is probably a variation on Abraham Storck’s paintings of the visit to Amsterdam in 1697 by Tsar Peter the Great, 1672-1725, during the ‘Great Embassy’, Peter’s grand diplomatic tour of Europe, 1697-98 (see BHC0926). When Peter arrived in Amsterdam on 25 August the city celebrated with fireworks, festivities and a maritime display in the form of a mock battle, which he attended on 1 September. A contemporary account states that he was so delighted with the whole performance that at his request it was repeated several weeks later. Peter appeared in full regalia as the Tsar of Muscovy to watch the 41 ships that took part.

The historic scene was graphically described in a contemporary print by Caspar Luyken. Abraham Storck, who specialised in pleasure yachts and ceremonial gatherings of ships, probably made several paintings of the mock battle soon afterwards.

In this painting of ships in coastal waters, the identifiable figure of Peter on one of the boats from Storck’s picture has been replaced by a man standing centre right in the yacht, surveying the numerous vessels which are possibly preparing for a mock battle or for a parade, and others carrying onlookers to view the event. As in the original composition, a trumpeter is shown on board with him playing a fanfare. No flags indicate a Russian presence, however.

According to the taste of the last quarter of the 17th century the artist of this painting has taken the pictorial formula for such a scene and generalised it. He has adopted colourful detail and a relatively low vantage point suggesting the viewer is also on a boat. The sky displays both clouds and sunshine, allowing for an interesting play of light and shade on the even waves. The arrangement of the boats suggests a comparison with another painting by Storck from the NMM’s collection (BHC0925).