Peter van de Velde - Dutch and English Man O'War off the coast near a fortified town - oil on canvas

Peter van de Velde - Dutch and English Man O'War off the coast near a fortified town - oil on canvas, Height: 50 in (127 cm); Width: 61.2 in (155.4 cm)The Anglo–Dutch Wars (Dutch: Engels–Nederlandse Oorlogen) were a series of conflicts mainly fought between the Dutch Republic and England (later Great Britain). The first three occurred in the second half of the 17th century over trade and overseas colonies, while the fourth was fought a century later. Almost all the battles were naval engagements.The English were successful in the first, while the Dutch were successful in the second and third clashes. However, by the time of the fourth war, the British Royal Navy had become the most powerful maritime force in the world.There would be more battles in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, mainly won by the British, but these are generally considered to be separate conflicts.Peter van de Velde or Peter van den Velde (Antwerp, 1634 – Antwerp, 1723/24), was a Flemish marine painter who was active in Antwerp. Some art historians believe that the long lifespan attributed to this artist could hide two artists operating under the same name, possibly a father and his son.He was born in Antwerp where he became a master of the Guild of St. Luke in 1654. Between 1666 and 1680 he is recorded in the guild as having pupils.Between 1668 and 1675 he is recorded producing 50 paintings as dozijnschilder for the Antwerp art dealers Forchondt, who exported these works to Vienna. Guilliam Forchondt II later moved to Spain to support the family business. The question whether he played a role in the views of Spain created by van de Velde remains unanswered.Considering the great age that this painter is supposed to have reached, it is possible that the name Peter van de Velde refers actually to two painters, maybe a father and son pair who signed with the same name. A son of Peter van de Velde was baptized in Antwerp in 1687.Peter van de Velde died some time after 1723, the latest date discovered on one of his paintings. -- source link

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