Repro ID: BHC0299
Title: A Royal visit to the fleet in the Thames Estuary.
Description: During the summer of 1672 Charles II visited ships of the fleet that were refitting in the Thames following the Battle of Solebay in May of that year. This may record a visit that took place on 10 September when the king was on board the yacht 'Cleveland'. The yacht in the left foreground is probably the 'Anne', which was used by his brother James, Duke of York. In port-quarter view and further away on the 'Anne's' starboard bow is the 'Cleveland'. The subject of this painting may have been suggested to the artist by the Duke of York soon after the van de Veldes arrived in England in 1672. Early in 1673 the Test Act forced the Roman Catholic duke to relinquish command of the fleet and so this picture represents one of the last occasions when he commanded the fleet at sea.
Creator: Willem van de Velde the Younger
Date: 1696
Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London
