New and popular subjects amongst Dutch painters were the marine, the so-called seascape or ship picture. These genres were particularly well-suited to depicting the rich trading and nautical power of the still-young nation of the States-General of the Netherlands. Willem van de Velde the younger specialised in this genre. He often borrowed detailed motifs from his father, a marine draftsman who recorded the activities of the Dutch fleet, and combined these to create imaginary compositions. His painting "Ships off the coast" depicts ships with their particular features, accurately proportioned and skilfully executed. The painting, dated 1672, was created in the year in which van de Velde went to England.

The Princely Collections