(Leiden 1611 – 1693 London)

The Dutch Fleet at sea  

Graphite and grey wash, 130 x 510 mm

Inscription in pen and brown ink lower right: Vandervelde

Provenance: The 12th Duke of Northumberland

The late Michael Robinson suggested that this spontaneous study of Dutch shipping of all types should be dated circa 1665.

It is not known how the drawing from a series of drawings by the Van de Veldes came to be in the collection of the Dukes of Northumberland, but is seems most likely that the drawings were acquired by that remarkable figure, Elizabeth, 1st Duchess of  Northumberland (1716-1776), who was one of the most important female collectors of the 18th century.