The First Battle of Schooneveld, 28 May 1673

Image credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

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The artist has adopted a high viewpoint to show the First Battle of Schooneveld, during the Third Dutch War, 1672–1674. Although he was present, the painting was produced 11 years after the event from drawings made at the time. The battle took place in the Schooneveld, a narrow basin at the mouth of the River Schelde, between the Dutch fleet under Lieutenant-Admiral Michiel de Ruyter in the 'Zeven Provincien' and the English and French Allied fleets. These were led by Prince Rupert in the 'Royal Charles' and the Comte d'Estrées in 'La Reine'. Early in 1673 the Test Act had forced the Duke of York, as a Roman Catholic, to relinquish the command of the fleet. Consequently Prince Rupert assumed command. The Allied objective was to bring the Dutch to action and either defeat them or blockade their coast to cover the landing of an Allied army. In this action the Allies fleet had superiority in fire-power, with 79 ships against 52 Dutch. Prince Rupert sent a mixed squadron towards the Dutch anchorage to tempt de Ruyter out. De Ruyter chased the Allied forces back to their fleet and battle commenced at noon, lasting for nine hours. Overall one Dutch ship was captured and then recaptured and the Dutch 'Deventer' sank at anchor the night after the battle: the French lost two ships and the English none, although their loss of life was heavier than the Dutch.

National Maritime Museum

London

Title

The First Battle of Schooneveld, 28 May 1673

Date

1684

Medium

oil & grisaille on canvas

Measurements

H 54.4 x W 74.6 cm

Accession number

BHC0305

Work type

Painting

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