A Dutch Merchantman Attacked by an English Privateer, off La Rochelle

Image credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

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Notes

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This painting is an allegorical evocation of the perils of seafaring but also seems to record a particular incident. The painting shows two ships approaching each other at the opening of a skirmish. In the centre a Dutch fluyt who flies a flag with the arms of the Dutch royal house of Orange in the second and third quarterings from the foremast. She is shown being attacked by an English privateer who flies a red-striped jack on the bowsprit, a similar flag at the foremast, a St George's cross defaced by a black spot in each quadrant at the main and a green-striped ensign. The Dutch ship endeavours to reach the safety of the harbour. On board both vessels the crews are occupied with securing ropes and hoisting sails. Privateers were armed vessels which, although they were privately owned, operated under official licence to raid enemy shipping for profit.

National Maritime Museum

London

Title

A Dutch Merchantman Attacked by an English Privateer, off La Rochelle

Date

1616

Medium

oil on panel

Measurements

H 87.7 x W 166.4 cm

Accession number

BHC0723

Work type

Painting

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