Artwork
The Encounter of the Dutch and the English Fleet during the Voyage of the Dutch Flotilla to Boulogne, 1805
The Encounter of the Dutch and the English Fleet during the Voyage of the Dutch Flotilla to Boulogne, 1805 is an oil painting by Martinus Schouman. It dates from 1806 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
The work measures 95 cm in height and 159 cm in width, presenting a substantial horizontal format typical for depicting naval engagements.
Executed in 1806, this marine painting by Martinus Schouman utilizes oil paint applied to a canvas support. The work measures 95 cm in height and 159 cm in width, presenting a substantial horizontal format typical for depicting naval engagements. As a piece classified within the marine genre, the composition focuses on the depiction of boats and fleet movements.
The combination of oil medium and canvas allows for the detailed rendering of the encounter between the Dutch and English fleets, adhering to traditional methods for large-scale maritime scenes of the early nineteenth century.
History & Provenance
The painting titled The Encounter of the Dutch and the English Fleet during the Voyage of the Dutch Flotilla to Boulogne, 1805 was created by the Dutch artist Martinus Schouman in 1806. Executed in oil paint on canvas, the work measures 95 cm in height and 159 cm in width. It currently resides in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is held as a marine art piece depicting naval vessels.
The artwork dates to the year following the historical event it portrays, establishing its creation in the early 19th century.
The painting is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, as indicated by its Wikidata record. Its medium is oil paint on canvas, and it measures 95 cm in height by 159 cm in width. No specific inventory or accession number is recorded in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented.
Overview
Martinus Schouman’s 1806 oil on canvas, titled The Encounter of the Dutch and the English Fleet during the Voyage of the Dutch Flotilla to Boulogne, 1805, presents a broad maritime scene. A multitude of sailing vessels, arranged in layered rows, dominate the composition, their masts and billowing sails thrusting forward against a softly lit, cloud‑filled horizon.
Subject & Meaning
The work records a naval encounter between Dutch and British forces as the Dutch flotilla proceeded toward Boulogne in 1805. Though the precise action is not detailed, the orderly yet dynamic arrangement of ships suggests a coordinated maneuver, reflecting the strategic tension of the period’s maritime conflicts.
Context
The canvas belongs to a broader tradition of Dutch marine art that celebrated naval power and seafaring life. Created during the Napoleonic era, it captures a moment when the Netherlands’ fleet was navigating the complex political and military landscape of the English Channel.
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Artist & collection
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