Rough seas breaking over a jetty

A painting showing rough seas breaking over a jetty. Although the artist was primarily a landscape painter he also produced some maritime scenes showing small vessels in rough seas.

This is a highly dramatic painting showing the jetty on the right pounded by high waves as the water breaks over it. Even so, a figure can be seen on the end of the jetty. In the centre a small fishing craft struggles through the waves and in the distance beyond the jetty a ship is at anchor riding out the storm. Over half of the picture pace is devoted to the sky and lowering clouds which reinforces the visual effect created by the storm. The painting has been signed ‘J.R’.

Object Details

ID: BHC0846
Collection: Fine art
Type: Painting
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Ruisdael, Jacob van
Date made: 17th century
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Palmer Collection. Acquired with the assistance of H.M. Treasury, the Caird Fund, the Art Fund, the Pilgrim Trust and the Society for Nautical Research Macpherson Fund.
Measurements: Frame: 755 mm x 885 mm x 104 mm;Overall: 12 kg;Painting: 535 mm x 675 mm