Maritime Artist. Willem van de Velde, known as the Elder, was the son of a Flemish sailor. He was probably trained as an artist by his father, who was well known for his marine art. While he is famous for some oil paintings, most of his works were pen and ink. He was the official artist of the Dutch fleet for a period, particularly known for sketches done at sea battles in 1666. After this, he gained a commission in London, in 1672 or 1673, probably being forced to move to be able to make a living after an economic collapse brought about by a French invasion. In London, he used the Queen’s House, now part of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, as a studio, until the accession of William III and Mary II as King and Queen of England. During this time much of his work was collaborations with his son, who often would complete in oil the ink drawings he made.
Maritime Artist. Willem van de Velde, known as the Elder, was the son of a Flemish sailor. He was probably trained as an artist by his father, who was well known for his marine art. While he is famous for some oil paintings, most of his works were pen and ink. He was the official artist of the Dutch fleet for a period, particularly known for sketches done at sea battles in 1666. After this, he gained a commission in London, in 1672 or 1673, probably being forced to move to be able to make a living after an economic collapse brought about by a French invasion. In London, he used the Queen’s House, now part of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, as a studio, until the accession of William III and Mary II as King and Queen of England. During this time much of his work was collaborations with his son, who often would complete in oil the ink drawings he made.
Bio by: Pete Mohney
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