Ships in a Calm
circa 1650-1655
Jan van de Cappelle was a wealthy businessman who painted purely for the love of it, and this serene seascape shows why. Notice how the water acts like a perfect mirror, reflecting the tall ships and that massive, billowing sky that takes up two-thirds of the canvas. This is classic Dutch Golden Age mastery—capturing the quiet power of the sea that was so vital to their economy. Fun fact: Van de Cappelle was actually a rich merchant who collected art, including works by Rembrandt, so he didn't need to sell his paintings to survive!
- Technique
- Oil on canvas
- Material
- Canvas
Location: National Gallery, London
Views: 2