Dutch maritime paintings exhibition

20 June 2008-11 January 2009

Turmoil and tranquillity: The sea through the eyes of Dutch and Flemish masters, 1550-1700, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

This exhibition focuses on the emerging genre of maritime art in the Low countries in the 17th century. Between 1550 and 1700 Europe saw dramatic shifts in the political, geographic and religious structure of Europe in which the Dutch Republic became a great maritime power with settlements and trading posts in the East Indies, Africa and the Americas. In an age distinguished by Dutch exploration and expansion, there was much demand for 'exotic' maritime paintings depicting battles at sea and illustrious naval heroes.

Image: Willem van de Velde the Younger, (Dutch 1633-1707) Calm: a Kaag coming ashore near a groyne with ships and vessels under sail beyond, 1664.