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This large painting shows the English fleet arriving in the Solent led by 'Prince Royal'. It is bearing Prince Charles and the Duke of Buckingham – for whom this version is thought to have been painted – on their return from Spain in October 1623. The fleet is shown approaching Portsmouth, out of sight on the right, the spit of land in the right middle distance being the eastern tip of the Isle of Wight. On the right of the picture and on the port tack is the 'Prince Royal' with the Prince and the Duke on her half-deck and following her on the same tack are the 'St Andrew', 'Defiance' and 'Bonaventure'. On the left of the picture more ships are wearing round and in the background, strung out along the horizon on the starboard tack, is the rest of the fleet – 23 ships in all. In the reign of James I striped ensigns remained popular and this painting shows all the ships in the fleet with ensigns with St George's cross in a small canton and numerous stripes of blue, white and gold.
Vroom established marine painting as a specialist form as the Dutch rose to become a leading maritime power. He worked widely in Europe and his importance was internationally recognised. He is regarded as the father of marine painting and he pioneered the painting of naval scenes and battles in a new style, showing careful attention to naval detail and rigging.
Title
The Return of Prince Charles from Spain, 5 October 1623
Date
1623
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 127 x W 297.2 cm
Accession number
BHC0710
Work type
Painting
National Maritime Museum
Romney Road, Greenwich, London, Greater London SE10 9NF England
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