A Weyschuit being hauled ashore in a crowded harbour

In the right foreground is a broadside view of a weyschuit (a small Dutch open boat) being hauled ashore near a pier. In the centre people are being carried ashore from a barge and to the right two barges are pulling away with two others landing on the pier. On the right is a stern view of an admiral’s ship and to her left a States yacht is under sail. In the middle distance a variety of shipping is at anchor, including a vice-admiral’s ship in the centre.

There is some doubt as to the date and attribution of this large drawing which has been broadly drawn in thick graphite and fluid wash. The composition, with the flagship and weyschuit boldly massed on one side, is in the manner of the Younger but parts of the drawing seem a little clumsy. The paper, however, is a course type which the van de Veldes used in 1672.

Object Details

ID: PAJ2424
Type: Drawing
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Velde, Willem van de, the Elder
Date made: circa 1672
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Sheet: 443 x 867 mm; Mount: 620 mm x 1040 mm