Willem van de Velde II

Willem van de Velde II was active professionally during the mid-seventeenth century, a period spanning 1631 to 1660. His documented output focuses almost exclusively on maritime subjects, demonstrating a clear specialization in naval depictions, seascapes, and ship studies.

The artist is represented in major collections by fifteen works documented in the database, consisting primarily of drawings. Fourteen drawings and one painting by the artist are currently recorded. The subjects often involve detailed renderings of naval architecture and active harbor scenes, including works such as Armed Galleon Seen from Starboard Quarter, the panoramic Flushing from the Sea, and the preparatory Studies of Ships and Boats. Further examples of his compositional ability are evident in A Fleet and Boats Becalmed.

The enduring quality of his draftsmanship is confirmed by the inclusion of his material in prestigious international collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Today, interest in Willem van de Velde II prints and drawings remains high, reflecting the museum-quality of his work. These historical renderings, often now in the public domain, are frequently made available as high-quality prints, ensuring their continued study and accessibility.