
Lot Essay
This is a version of the painting in the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam (inv. no. 1892), described by Robinson (loc. cit.) as 'probably a late studio version, but [possibly] an eighteenth century copy by Peter Monamy after Van de Velde's death'.
The Rotterdam picture is signed, inscribed and dated 'W.V.Velde. In londe 1673', although Robinson (ibid., p. 503, no. 8[1]) believed that it was likely to have been started in Holland and completed in London; he noted that in the right background was a boat with an awning and a flag and wreath on the mast (also present, but less clearly visible, in the present work), a Dutch tradition indicating that it was a refreshment vessel.
The yacht is that of the States of Holland, having on her tafferel a shield bearing the red lion rampant of Holland, with lion supporters. Robinson notes that she is probably the same as that in a work by Van de Velde of 1674 in the Elizabeth Holmes Fisher Gallery, Los Angeles.