Holländische Yacht beim Salutieren

A Dutch Yacht saluting

This is the largest and most elaborate painting by Willem van de Velde in the Gallery's collection. The central vessel is a 'statenjacht' (a vessel used by Dutch officials) bearing the arms of the Province of Holland and, above, those of Amsterdam. Van de Velde was the leading Dutch marine painter of his age. He worked in Amsterdam until about 1672, and then in England for Charles II.