Shipping off Amsterdam

A scene showing shipping in the River Y near Amsterdam. A flagship and Dutch West India Company barge are shown in the centre of the picture. The stern of the barge shows the carved figure of a saint together with accompanying attributes. It is flying the flags and pennants of the company. To the right a larger flagship is shown approaching with her deck full of figures. On the left is a ship broadside at anchor, with land visible in the distance beyond. In the foregound on the left is a river craft and in the foregound a small boat moves across the picture. It shows six women rowing and three passengers sitting in the stern. Beyond on the right a kaag, or cargo vessel, sails in the direction of the Company ships, and other shipping is also shown in the distance.

The artist trained and worked with his father and became a member of the Guild of St Luke in Amsterdam. His river and coastal scenes were influenced by Ludolf Backhuysen, Willem van de Velde the younger and Jan Abrahamsz Beerstraten. He showed considerable accuracy in depicting ships' rigging and technical details, and his Dutch harbour and river views often depict the recreational and ceremonial aspects of shipping. In particular he concentrated on showing pleasure yachts and ceremonial gatherings of ships. He also concentrated on depictions of both spectators and passengers. In such work he showed great skill depicting the human figure, through characterization and attention to costume and detail. The painting is signed 'A Storck Fecit' on a piece of driftwood in the central foreground. It is thought to be one of a pair with BHC0925, showing an East Indiaman.

Object Details

ID: BHC0924
Collection: Fine art
Type: Painting
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Storck, Abraham
Date made: circa 1705
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Macpherson Collection
Measurements: Frame: 770 mm x 910 mm x 120 mm;Painting: 528 x 668 mm