Shipwreck off a Rocky Coast

Adam Willaerts (signed by artist), 1614

Those who went to sea played roulette with their lives. The wooden ships were small and fragile, and the very real dangers were exaggerated with horror stories of hideous creatures living in the unfathomable depths. Willaerts created an image of every seaman’s worst nightmare. One ship has been dashed on the rocks, and the other two are heeling over. The survivors at centre are threatened by a monstrous fish.

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-A-1955
  • Dimensionssupport: height 64.5 cm x width 85.2 cm (oval)
  • Physical characteristicsoil on panel

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Shipwreck off a Rocky Coast

  • Object type

  • Object number

    SK-A-1955

  • Description

    Schipbreuk op een rotsachtige kust. Op een woelige zee voor een kust heeft een schip, links, schipbreuk geleden. Op de voorgrond een sloep volbeladen met mensen, daarachter een walvis en twee andere schepen die de storm trotseren.

  • Inscriptions / marks

    signature and date, bottom centre on the side of the lifeboat: ‘AD Wilarts fe 1614’

  • Part of catalogue

Creation

  • Creation

    painter: Adam Willaerts (signed by artist)

  • Dating

    1614

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    oil on panel

  • Dimensions

    support: height 64.5 cm x width 85.2 cm (oval)

This work is about

  • Subject

Acquisition and rights

  • Acquisition

    purchase 1901-04-16

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; sale, various properties, Amsterdam (F. Muller), 16 April 1902, no. 165, fl. 235.75, to the museum

Documentation

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