The Battle of Dunkirk (1659)

Dated 1659, "The Battle of Dunkirk" is an artwork by Willem van de Velde the Elder. The catalogue places it in Drawings. The format is landscape. Drawings, a short history: Drawings range from quick preparatory sketches to finished works in pen, chalk, charcoal, graphite, or wash. Artists have long used drawings to plan paintings, sculptures, and buildings, so a sketch can show how an idea developed. Context for 1659: The seventeenth century is the age of the Baroque, which favoured dramatic light, movement, and strong emotion in the work of painters in Italy, Spain, and Flanders. In Japan the Edo period began in 1603, and in China the Qing dynasty took power in 1644, both bringing new patrons and styles.

"The Battle of Dunkirk" is shown in the onlly.art catalogue for reference and browsing. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Browsing works by the same artist, or from the same period, is a good way to compare styles before choosing what suits your space.

Dutch, 1610–1693

If you like the visual language of Willem van de Velde the Elder, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.