Dutch ships at anchor off the land, c.1664 (graphite, grey wash)

Creator: Willem van de Velde, the Elder This drawing shows a distant view of about twelve Dutch ships. In the left centre are Admirals of the centre, van and rear. To the right is the Vice-Admiral of the centre astern of a private ship. There is a small boeier yacht and several boats in the foreground. On the extreme left is a States yacht, with a spit of land beyond. This is one of six drawings by van de Velde the Elder which approach the style of the Younger in the delicacy of the drawing and the fluidity of the wash. However, the hard-ruled horizons and the handling of the wash in the distant ships suggest the work of the Elder. All six drawings have been dated by the subjects and the similarity in manner to PAF6463.