Dominic Serres, R.A. (1719-1793)

This work by Serres is reminiscent of earlier Dutch paintings by Willem van de Velde (1633-1707) and Ludolf Bakhuysen (1631-1708). Serres built up a large collection of drawings by van de Velde, often studying them intently to help develop his own compositions. The centralised light, ringed with dark clouds and peripheral ships, forces your eye to concentrate on the intricate rigging of the English frigate, and the stern carving of the Dutch merchantman. This trick was one used constantly by van de Velde, and subsequently taken on by Charles Brooking (1723-1759), a contemporary of Serres.