A View of Falmouth Harbour, circa 1678 RMG BHC4166

A View of Falmouth Harbour, circa 1678
Danckerts travelled widely and his most important commission for King Charles II was to paint a series of 28 canvases depicting various palaces and fortified ports. This picture may have formed part of this series, with its combination of seascape, landscape and topographical detailing. It would have been based on drawings on the spot and shows the whole extent of Falmouth harbour, with the town on the right and a variety of shipping in the bay. The portrayal of figures in the foreground to the left is complemented by the sensitive rendering of sky and trees. The artist was a Dutch born painter, who in 1657 came with his brother, Johannes, to work in England. He became Court Painter to Charles II. The painting has been signed and dated 1678.

A View of Falmouth Harbour, circa 1678