How you can use this image
This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).
Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.
The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.
Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.
Notes
Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.
This grisaille depicts the last battle of the First Anglo-Dutch War, 1652–1654, and is based on eyewitness sketches by the artist, who has interpreted it as a success for the Dutch. It was more widely regarded as a Dutch defeat, since they lost 15 ships. More disastrously, they also lost their leader, Lieutenant-Admiral Maerten Tromp. As a result the English were able to impose fairly harsh terms at the ensuing peace conference. Here the battle is shown towards its conclusion, and viewed from a high horizon as a continuous narrative, since several incidents which occurred at different times have been combined. The fleets are shown passing each other with the English mainly on the port tack and the Dutch on the starboard, heading for land.
In the distance on the far right are two Dutch ships: the 'Ster' and the 'Eendracht'. Beyond and to the left of these is the British commander, General-at-Sea George Monck, in the 'Resolution', flying the Commonwealth standard at the main. Also flying the red ensign at the fore, representing a signal for close action, she is just visible in the middle distance engaged in action with the Dutch 'Brederode', the flagship of the Dutch Commander-in-Chief, Maerten Tromp, still flying Tromp's flag even though by this stage in the battle he was dead.
In the left foreground is a galliot with several men on board, including the artist. He is the seated figure with his back to the viewer, wearing a hat, holding a drawing block and pencil, and looking towards the action on his right. Such a prominent position implies that he wished to be identified with the painting and the battle.
Title
The Battle of Scheveningen, 10 August 1653
Date
1655
Medium
oil on panel
Measurements
H 114.3 x W 156.2 cm
Accession number
BHC0277
Work type
Painting
National Maritime Museum
Romney Road, Greenwich, London, Greater London SE10 9NF England
-
Three Ships in a Squall National Trust, Felbrigg Hall -
Seascape with Shipping City of Westminster Archives Centre -
A Dutch Bezan Yacht and Many Other Vessels in a Crowded Harbour beside a Tavern National Maritime Museum -
Two Dutch Merchant Ships Under Sail near the Shore in a Moderate Breeze National Maritime Museum -
The Dutch Ship 'Oosterwijk' Under Sail near the Shore, in Two Positions National Maritime Museum -
The Battle of Scheveningen, 10 August 1653 National Maritime Museum -
A Kaag and Other Vessels off a Pier National Maritime Museum - 34 more
