Artwork

The prince's yacht and the state yacht, presumably awaiting the arrival of Charles II of England near Moersdijk, 1660

The prince's yacht and the state yacht, presumably awaiting the arrival of Charles II of England near Moersdijk, 1660 is an ink painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Willem van de Velde the elder. It dates from 1688 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Technique & Style

The work is executed in ink on a wooden panel, measuring 77.

The work is executed in ink on a wooden panel, measuring 77.5 cm in height and 106.5 cm in width, and belongs to the marine genre. Willem van de Velde the Elder employed meticulous ink drawing techniques to render the detailed rigging and hulls of the royal yachts, creating a balanced composition that emphasizes the stillness of the vessels awaiting the monarch. The surface shows fine linear precision and subtle tonal variation, characteristic of his early marine paintings, while the handling of the ink conveys depth through layered hatching and controlled wash effects.

History & Provenance

The work was created in 1676 by Willem van de Velde the Elder, as established by its canonical dating and attribution. Executed in ink on panel, it measures 77.5 by 106.5 centimeters. The painting was not produced at the time of the depicted event, Charles II’s anticipated arrival near Moersdijk in 1660, but rather sixteen years later, suggesting a retrospective or commemorative commission.

The painting has been part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection, where it is currently housed. No earlier ownership history or specific commissioning patron is documented in the available sources.

The work is held in the Rijksmuseum collection and is catalogued under the accession number SK-A-1965. It has been displayed in the museum’s permanent maritime gallery, forming part of rotating exhibitions that focus on Dutch Golden Age marine painting.

The painting was created in 1676 by Willem van de Velde the Elder and depicts a royal yacht scene near Moersdijk.

Overview

Willem van de Velde the Elder’s ink drawing, dated 1688, portrays two royal vessels, identified as the prince’s yacht and the state yacht, positioned near Moersdijk as they await the arrival of Charles II in 1660. The composition is rendered in monochrome, emphasizing the tranquil expanse of water and the subtle horizon beyond.

Subject & Meaning

The work records a moment of diplomatic significance, capturing the English monarch’s anticipated landing on Dutch waters. By focusing on the royal yachts rather than a bustling harbor, the artist underscores the ceremony of royal travel and the peaceful anticipation surrounding the restoration of the English throne.

Context

Created during a period when Dutch ship‑building and cartography flourished, the drawing reflects the Netherlands’ role as a maritime hub. Van de Velde the Elder, renowned for his accurate ship depictions, contributed to a visual record that supported both artistic and technical interests in 17th‑century seafaring.

The prince's yacht and the sate yacht leaving Moerdijk with Charles II of England on board, 1660, Willem van de Velde the elder

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Artist & collection

Artist

Willem van de Velde the elder

Willem van de Velde the Elder (1610/11 – 13 December 1693) was a Dutch Golden Age seascape painter, who produced many precise drawings of ships and ink paintings of fleets, but later learned to use oil paints like his son.