Title: The Return of the Dutch East India Fleet 1 May 1599.
Description: The first Dutch voyage to the East Indies in search of spices was inspired by information on Portuguese trade routes smuggled out of India by Jan Huygen van Linschoten. This magnificently rich painting accurately conveys the enormous profits made on the spices brought back by the Dutch ships. Holland soon dominated the spice trade between Europe and the East Indies, and Holland's later East Indian empire was built on its trading stations and maritime power in the area.
Creator: Andries van Eertveldt (1590-1652).
Date: c. 1630
Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London
