Lot 73: WILLEM VAN DE VELDE THE ELDER

THE DUTCH FLEET AT SEA IN 1672

10 by 16 7/8 in; 255 by 428 mm

Black chalk and gray wash with touches of pen and brown ink;inscribed in brown ink, in a sail: t and in black chalk: banckert

Edward Seago,
sold from his estate, London, Christie's, 9 December 1975, lot 46 (purchased by the present owner)

In the 1975 sale catalogue, it was recorded that Michael Robinson suggested this was a drawing by the elder Van de Velde, which was later reworked by his son. Presumably the dating was also due to Robinson. 1672 saw the beginning of the Third Anglo-Dutch War, and both Van de Veldes documented the year's many battles extensively. The inscription must identify the ship commanded by the Dutch Admiral Adriaan Banckert (c.1615-1684).