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Notes
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In the first half of the seventeenth century conflicts of trade interests between England and the Netherlands increased. This intensified the likelihood of armed conflict and matters came to a head with Cromwell's Navigation Act of 1651, which directly threatened Dutch primacy as 'the carriers of Europe' by restricting English trade to English ships. The first of the three resultant sea wars between England and the Dutch United Provinces broke out in 1652, lasting to 1654. In this painting the action between Dutch and English ships is believed to show one of the earliest exchanges. On the left and centre of the painting three English ships are shown. On the far right a Dutch ship is engaged in exchanging fire with two English ships. The ship on the far left flies a distinctive red Commonwealth ensign at the main with the St George's cross in the corner and various motifs of thistle, lions and harp in a laurel wreath. These emblems are repeated on the stern of the ship.
The artist was born and died in Utrecht and was one of the sons of Adam Willarts. He and his younger brother Isaac took up their father's profession and became marine painters.
Title
Action between Ships in the First Dutch War, 1652–1654
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 100.3 x W 124.5 cm
Accession number
BHC0823
Work type
Painting
National Maritime Museum
Romney Road, Greenwich, London, Greater London SE10 9NF England
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