Artwork
The Y at Amsterdam, with the frigate 'De Ploeg'
The Y at Amsterdam, with the frigate 'De Ploeg' is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Ludolf Bakhuizen. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work reflects the pride of its owner, Adriaan van der Hoop, and his connection to the city’s seafaring legacy.
The painting portrays a merchant vessel flying the Dutch flag beside a smaller armed ship, symbolizing the prosperity and naval strength of the Dutch Republic in the late 17th century. The frigate 'De Ploeg' serves as a recognizable emblem of maritime power, while the overall composition celebrates Amsterdam’s role as a leading port and trading hub. The work reflects the pride of its owner, Adriaan van der Hoop, and his connection to the city’s seafaring legacy.
Technique & Style
The painting is executed in oil on canvas, a marine scene depicting a frigate named 'De Ploeg' in the harbor of Amsterdam. It measures 68 cm in height and 81 cm in width, reflecting Bakhuizen's characteristic emphasis on atmospheric light and detailed vessel rendering.
The work was created in 1690 and is part of the collection of Adriaan van der Hoop, now housed in the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Museum. The composition showcases Bakhuizen's mastery of maritime subjects through precise brushwork and a realistic handling of maritime atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Ludolf Bakhuizen created The Y at Amsterdam, with the frigate 'De Ploeg' in 1690 using oil paint on canvas. The artwork subsequently entered the collection of Adriaan van der Hoop. It has also been associated with the Amsterdam Museum. Presently, the painting is held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
The Y at Amsterdam, with the frigate 'De Ploeg' by Ludolf Bakhuizen is held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. According to Wikidata, the painting is also associated with the Amsterdam Museum and the collection of Adriaan van der Hoop, who is listed as a former owner. No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented.
No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented.
Overview
Ludolf Bakhuizen’s oil painting The Y at Amsterdam, with the frigate ‘De Ploeg’ was executed in 1696. The work presents a bustling Amsterdam harbor under a cloud‑dappled sky, centering on the Dutch frigate De Ploeg among a variety of other vessels. It is part of the Rijksmuseum’s permanent collection.
Context
Amsterdam’s harbor was a hub of international trade in the 1690s, and the inclusion of the frigate De Ploeg underscores the city’s naval strength. Bakhuizen’s focus on realistic detail and bustling activity aligns with contemporary Dutch interests in commerce, navigation, and the visual documentation of maritime life.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Ludolf Bakhuizen (28 December 1630 or 1632 – 7 November 1708) was a German-born Dutch painter, draughtsman, calligrapher and printmaker.
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