Artwork

Warships in a Heavy Storm

Warships in a Heavy Storm, by Ludolf Bakhuizen, oil, 1698
Warships in a Heavy Storm, by Ludolf Bakhuizen, oil, 1698

Warships in a Heavy Storm is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Ludolf Bakhuizen. It dates from 1698 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The artwork portrays warships enduring a severe maritime tempest. As a work of marine art, it captures the dramatic struggle between naval vessels and the overwhelming forces of nature. The painting depicts boats, specifically warships, battling turbulent conditions, emphasizing the peril and raw power inherent in seafaring life.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1695, Warships in a Heavy Storm is an oil painting on canvas by Ludolf Bakhuizen. The work measures 150 cm in height and 227 cm in width, presenting a substantial marine composition. As a piece of marine art, the medium and support combine to depict vessels navigating turbulent waters, characteristic of the artist's specialization in seascapes during this period.

History & Provenance
Measuring 150 cm in height and 227 cm in width, the large-scale composition depicts vessels navigating turbulent waters.

Warships in a Heavy Storm is an oil painting on canvas created by the Dutch marine artist Ludolf Bakhuizen. The work was completed in 1695, a date established as the authoritative year of inception for the piece. Measuring 150 cm in height and 227 cm in width, the large-scale composition depicts vessels navigating turbulent waters.

The painting is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is displayed in hall 2.15. While the specific circumstances of its original commission and the details of its ownership chain prior to entering the museum are not provided in the available records, its status as a significant example of Bakhuizen's late 17th-century marine art is confirmed by its preservation in this major national institution.

Warships in a Heavy Storm is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is displayed in hall 2.15. Painted by Ludolf Bakhuizen in 1695, the oil-on-canvas work measures 150 cm in height and 227 cm in width. The painting is classified as a marine genre piece depicting boats.

Overview

Ludolf Bakhuizen’s oil painting Warships in a Heavy Storm (1698) presents a dramatic seascape of three naval vessels battling a fierce gale. The composition captures towering waves and a sky dominated by dark clouds, pierced only by a narrow shaft of light on the right. The work exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age’s focus on maritime subjects and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.

Ships on a Stormy Sea
Ships on a Stormy Sea, Johannes Christiaan Schotel

Artist & collection

Portrait of Ludolf Bakhuizen

Artist

Ludolf Bakhuizen

Ludolf Bakhuizen (28 December 1630 or 1632 – 7 November 1708) was a German-born Dutch painter, draughtsman, calligrapher and printmaker.

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Warships in a Heavy Storm?

Warships in a Heavy Storm was painted by Ludolf Bakhuizen in 1695-01-01.

Where can I see Warships in a Heavy Storm?

Warships in a Heavy Storm is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Warships in a Heavy Storm?

Warships in a Heavy Storm is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Warships in a Heavy Storm?

Museum-quality prints of Warships in a Heavy Storm are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.