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The Woolwich before a light breeze, c.1677 (oil on panel)
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The Woolwich before a light breeze, c.1677 (oil on panel)
7342720 The Woolwich before a light breeze, c.1677 (oil on panel) by Velde, Willem van de, the Elder (1611-93); 76.2x93.9 cm; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Creator: Willem van de Velde, the Elder
Oil painting of the Woolwich in port-broadside view, apparently just having made sail since she is hoisting in her port bower anchor, with a smaller single-deck Royal Naval warship under her stern firing a salute. The Woolwich was a 54-gun fourth rate ship of the line, built by Phineas Pett III at Woolwich Dockyard and launched in 1675. She was rebuilt in 1702 and the compleletely taken to pieces at Deptford Dockyard in 1736 before again being rebuilt on the lines of a 50-gun fourth rate. Relaunched on 6 April 1741 she was finally brken up at Woolwich in 1747. It is now established beyond reasonable doubt that this painting, along with two others also on panel, are three survivors from a set painted by the van de Veldes for the cabin of the royal yacht Charlotte built at Portsmouth for Charles II in 1677. The others are of the yacht Portsmouth (dated 1675, BHC3556), and the Charles Galley (dated 1677, BHC3254). For further information see Richard Endsor's article on, The van de Velde paintings for the Royal Yacht "Charlotte", 1677, in the Mariner's Mirror, vol. 94, no. 3, August 2008, pp.264-75. All were given to Greenwich Hospital by the Hon. John Forbes, Admiral of the Fleet, in 1791. Forbes (1714-96) was a highly respected naval officer who had considerable historical interests: he passed on much information about the Hanoverian navy to Captain William Locker, Lieutenant Governor of Greenwich Hospital in the 1790s. He presumably obtained the pictures after the Charlotte was broken up and gave them to the Hospital so that they would be preserved in interested naval hands.); © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Media ID 38412414
© © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London / Bridgeman Images
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This stunning oil painting by Willem van de Velde, the Elder, captures the majestic 'Woolwich' before a light breeze in 1677. The ship is depicted in port-broadside view, with its sails just unfurled and its anchor being hoisted. A smaller Royal Naval warship can be seen firing a salute under its stern, adding to the dynamic scene.
The 'Woolwich' was a formidable 54-gun fourth rate ship of the line, built at Woolwich Dockyard and launched in 1675. This painting is part of a set created by van de Velde for the cabin of the royal yacht 'Charlotte', commissioned by Charles II in 1677. Along with two other surviving panels depicting different ships from the set, this artwork provides a rare glimpse into naval history during that era.
Donated to Greenwich Hospital by Admiral John Forbes in 1791, these paintings have been preserved as valuable historical artifacts. Forbes himself was an esteemed naval officer with a keen interest in maritime history, ensuring that these works would be appreciated and cared for within naval circles.
With meticulous attention to detail and expert craftsmanship, van de Velde has captured not just a moment in time but also the grandeur and power of naval vessels during this period. This painting serves as both an artistic masterpiece and a historical document of seafaring heritage.
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