Willem van de Velde the Younger

Willem van de Velde the Younger was born in 1633 in Leiden and became one of the most accomplished marine painters of the Dutch Golden Age. He was the son of Willem van de Velde the Elder, a marine artist and draftsman, and trained closely under his father. Specializing in detailed depictions of ships and naval battles, he developed remarkable technical precision. His paintings are known for their calm seas, balanced compositions, and subtle atmospheric effects.

In 1672, he moved to England with his father, where both artists entered the service of King Charles II. There, he continued to paint maritime scenes, documenting both Dutch and English vessels with accuracy. Van de Velde favored clarity and order rather than dramatic exaggeration. His mastery of light and reflection gives his works a serene and refined quality. He died in 1707. Today, he is regarded as one of the greatest marine painters in European art history.