This probably shows the council-of-war on the day (31 May OS) before the Four Days' Battle, of which the Elder made a large grisaille (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, 2463a). The commander-in-chief's flagship in the centre in port-quarter view is presumably de Ruyter's 'Zeven Provincien', lying-to with her fore topsail aback and her mainsail filled, and with a crowd of boats under her stern. On the left is a galjoot and beyond her Aert van Nes in the 'Eendracht' with his flag at the main (insc. 'van nes'). In the distance the ship with a flag at the main and a pendant at the fore is Tj. Hiddes de Vries in the 'Groot Frisia' (insc. 'hiddes'). The ship in the right distance with the flag at the main and pendant at the mizzzen is probably Cornelis Tromp's 'Hollandia'. Watermark: undetermined. Prov: Leake coll.; Ingram (Robinson II, 1019, pl. 78). [PvdM 9/07]