Painting technique and materials in the Van de Velde studio

Painting technique and materials in the Van de Velde studio

Talk given by Kendall Francis, Paintings Conservator

In this talk, Kendall Francis, drawing from her Postgraduate thesis for the Courtauld Institute of Art, delves into a technical investigation establishing the materials and standard practices of the 17th century Dutch maritime painter, Willem van de Velde the Younger.

This comprehensive investigation examined eight paintings in the artist’s English oeuvre housed at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. Kendall’s talk will centre primarily around The Royal Visit to the Fleet in the Thames Estuary 5 June 1672 where she will highlight intriguing variations in its making.

The working relationship between Willem van de Velde the Younger and his father, Willem van de Velde the Elder, significantly influenced their shared drawing practices. Kendall examined and compared select drawings associated with the paintings. Engaging in the process of reconstructions, she will shed light on how the drawings played a role in the artistic process of the Younger; facilitating the composition, painting and completion of the works.

In addition, Kendall has recently embarked on a long-term personal project tracing the legacies of colonialism, slavery, and exploitation in artists' materials, to better understand and acknowledge the extent rapacious histories and appropriation has played in the creation of artworks. The project aims to include a full narrative of the voices, traditions and contributions of marginalised people.

Kendall will end her talk by sharing these initial links to the materials she discovered in the Van de Velde studio.

Places are free and the talk is suitable for all. Please register with your email address to receive the link to the Zoom webinar.

Register Here

If you experience any difficulties with booking, or have any questions about the event, please contact research@rmg.co.uk