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An Estuary with Fishing Boats and Two Frigates

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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Huge clouds float across a wide sky, seeming to dwarf everything below – even the two frigates heading way out to sea, sails raised, tall and majestic. Frigates were light warships that protected the giant merchant vessels that were the lifeblood of the new Dutch Republic, reaching out across the world and bringing wealth to the small but powerful nation. Van Goyen has placed them almost centrally, with a clear sweep of water between them and us – it’s as if everything has moved aside to allow them freedom of the waterways.

We don’t know if the painting represents a specific place. It’s probably an amalgamation of small scenes from van Goyen’s many drawings. He worked extremely fast, but speed didn’t prevent him from portraying a poetic vision of the Dutch landscape that holds the gaze and appeals to the imagination.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

An Estuary with Fishing Boats and Two Frigates

Date

about 1650-6

Medium

Oil on oak

Measurements

H 49.5 x W 69.1 cm

Accession number

NG6423

Acquisition method

Bequeathed by Sir John Heathcoat-Amory, Bt, 1972; entered the Collection in 1973

Work type

Painting

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The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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