Battle of Tobago, 1677

This rediscovered work by Jan Karel Donatus van Beecq records a significant battle off the coast of Tobago in 1677, in the area now known as Scarborough Harbour. The island was colonised by the Dutch West India Company in 1628, and it was fought over in successive Anglo-Dutch wars, between 1665 and 1667, and 1672 and 1674. The Sterreschans (‘Star Fort’) was then built in 1676, and reinforced in early 1677; named for its distinctive shape, it can be seen centre right here. The Dutch came under attack by the French fleet, under the command of Vice Admiral Jean II, Comte d’Estrées, in February and March 1677; the Dutch managed to repel the advances, with heavy losses on both sides. In December of the same year, however, the French returned once again and succeeded in defeating the Dutch and capturing the island.

It is likely that Van Beecq was commissioned to record this historic French victory. Although he was born in Amsterdam, and may have trained with William van de Velde the Younger in London, by 1680 he had moved to Paris, where he achieved significant success, working under the patronage of Philippe, Duc de Vendôme. He enrolled in the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture, his membership pushed through by Charles Le Brun, and was given important commissions, including canvases celebrating French maritime victories, such as the Bombardment of Chios by Duquesne, 23 July 1981 made for Louis XIV’s palace at Marly (now Paris, Musée National de la Marine).