Artwork
Ships in stormy sea near a rocky coast
Ships in stormy sea near a rocky coast is an oil painting. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The canvas presents a turbulent maritime scene in which three large sailing vessels confront a storm‑tossed sea near a craggy coastline.
About this work
Technique & Style
Created in 1640, the piece falls within the marine art genre, depicting boats navigating turbulent waters near a rocky coast.
The work is an oil painting executed on a canvas support, measuring 111 cm in height and 182 cm in width. Created in 1640, the piece falls within the marine art genre, depicting boats navigating turbulent waters near a rocky coast. The handling of the medium captures the dramatic movement of a stormy sea, utilizing the fluid properties of oil paint to render the atmospheric conditions and the interaction between the vessels and the rough environment.
The composition focuses on the maritime scene, emphasizing the scale of the ocean against the ships and the coastal terrain.
History & Provenance
The marine painting titled Ships in stormy sea near a rocky coast was created in 1640 using oil paint on canvas. While the work is attributed to the anonymous creator in some records, specific sources identify the artists as Simon de Vlieger and Jan Abrahamsz Beerstraaten. The piece measures 111 cm in height and 182 cm in width.
Its ownership history includes the Oudezijds Almshouse, and it is currently held in the collections of the Amsterdam Museum and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
The painting Ships in stormy sea near a rocky coast is currently held in the collection of the Amsterdam Museum, specifically located at the Oudezijds Almshouse in Amsterdam. While the work is attributed to either Simon de Vlieger or Jan Abrahamsz Beerstraaten, the Amsterdam Museum maintains custody of this marine oil on canvas. The inventory details and exhibition records for this specific accession are not provided in the available documentation, though the museum's location at the Oudezijds Almshouse is confirmed as the present holding site.
Overview
The canvas presents a turbulent maritime scene in which three large sailing vessels confront a storm‑tossed sea near a craggy coastline. Dark, brooding clouds dominate the sky, while the water erupts in white, foaming crests. One ship presses close to the jagged cliffs, its billowing sails strained by the fierce wind, emphasizing the precariousness of the moment.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures the clash between human endeavor and elemental force, illustrating how seafarers must wrestle with nature’s volatility. The proximity of the vessels to the rocky shore underscores the danger of navigation in such conditions, while the shared struggle of the ships suggests a universal vulnerability to the sea’s power.
Artist & collection
