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Willem van Velde the Elder (1611-93) and the Younger (1633—1707) in London 1672-1707 |
| 8 of 14 Pictures |
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| © National Maritime Museum, London |
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| Repro ID: BHC0322 |
| Description: This picture shows the embarkation of Prince William of Orange and Princess Mary, his new wife, at Erith, Kent, on their journey to the Netherlands on what is often called the 'honeymoon voyage'. The picture shows the yachts and their escort preparing to get under way. The most prominent vessel is the 'Mary' (1677), a smack-rigged royal yacht shown in starboard-broadside view.
Willem van de Velde the Younger was on board the 'Mary' and drew a numbered series of drawings throughout the voyage. The artist was the younger son of Willem van de Velde the Elder. He came with his father to England in 1672, and began to work on views of royal yachts, men-of-war and on storm scenes. From 1672 the depiction of sea battles from the English side became a priority but unlike his father's they were not usually eyewitness accounts. However, from early 1674 both the van de Veldes were expressly patronized by Charles II for this purpose, the father to draw sea fights and the son - who was by far the more accomplished painter - 'for putting the said Draughts into Colours'. After his father's death in 1693 he was officially engaged to be present at and record significant maritime events. |
| Creator: Willem van de Velde, the Younger |
| Date: 17th century |
| Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London | |
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