Ships At Anchor In Front Of A Port

Magnificent portrait of warships in front of a fortified port in a calm sea, made in the 17th century. The fineness of the details, and the careful treatment of the composition is undoubtedly attributable to a Dutch artist. The scrupulous description of the shrouds can only be the work of a specialist, familiar with these ships. The large vessel represented by the stern, bears on the transom of the castle the Maltese cross. This building belongs to the fleet of the Order. The walls of the city are singularly reminiscent of those of the port of Valletta, Capital of the Knights. The name of Jan Karel Donatus Van Beecq (1638-1722) then comes to mind, one of the five "painters for the sea" of Louis XIV. This artist of Dutch origin, before being a member of the royal academy of painting, was in the service of Philippe de Vendôme, prior of the order of Malta. He was curiously suspended from the academy, because he was absent from Paris for a long period. The hypothesis formulated by historians is that he could not avoid following Philippe de Vendôme to Malta, being his long-standing obligor. This painting, of a small format convenient for traveling, could well have been painted on site. It is in any case a rare and precise document on the Navy of one of the maritime powers in the Mediterranean in the 17th century, the vessels represented having very specific characteristics. It is cleaned and in excellent condition. The Dutch-style frame in rosewood is later.