Studio of Willem van de Velde, the Younger (Leiden 1633-1707 London)

Despite the frequency with which both van de Veldes reproduced their own work by means of secondary versions, sometimes identical but usually with minor variation, the composition offered in this catalogue is only replicated in one other rendition according to Michael Robinson's magisterial catalogue raisonné (see details above). In his notes therein, Robinson attributes that version very largely to Willem the Younger but adds "with a substantial amount done by a talented man in the studio, perhaps Cornelis van de Velde." He then qualifies this statement further by noting that there is a "fault in the perspective in showing the yacht on the left too small for her closeness to the ship" which confirms that at least this part of the overall composition "is probably the work of the studio."

After thorough examination and discussion with several academics, most notably Dr. David Cordingly, formerly Keeper of Paintings at the National Maritime Museum, it seems that the work being offered here can be similarly attributed, that is to say the flagship appears to be in the hand of Willem, the Younger himself, whilst the rest of the composition is probably the work of the studio, albeit under the direction of the master.