Image: HMS Prince and HMS Merlin 1682
Description: Two Willem van de Veldes (father and son) came to England in 1672 or 1673, at the time of the French invasion of Holland, and remained there for the rest of their lives. This pair of paintings (see also CW 211, 400031) employs Willem van de Velde’s distinctive ‘grisaille’ technique: it is like any other oil on panel except that the colours are all variants of brown and grey and the lines are applied with a pen rather than a brush. They were probably commissioned by or for Charles II in 1682, though the date on this one is only partly legible. An English three-decker war ship, probably the Prince, which appears to be at anchor, its lower main sails furled, is approached by a royal yacht, probably the Merlin. At this date yachts were ships used to transport dignitaries and also (though this was a recent innovation) to race. Inscribed (partially legibly): 'W. V. Velde f. 1682 pictor.' Provenance Probably commissioned by Charles II; certainly recorded at Whitehall palace during the reign of James II.
Title: HMS Prince and HMS Merlin 1682
Credit: https://www.rct.uk/collection/400032/an-english-three-decker-in-a-light-breeze-with-a-royal-yacht-sailing-towards-her
Author: W. V. Velde f. 1682 pictor
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No
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