Dominic Serres, R.A. (Nr. Auch, Gascony 1719-1793 London)

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 the eye to concentrate on the intricate rigging and the stern carvings of the warships. This trick was one used constantly by van de Velde, and subsequently adopted by Charles Brooking (1723-1759), a contemporary of Serres.