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The Battle of The Texel, 11 August 1673 RMG BHC0346
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The Battle of The Texel, 11 August 1673
This painting probably relates to the Battle of Texel. This was the last fleet action of the Dutch Wars, and the last attempt of the Anglo-French fleet to destroy the Dutch and make way for a seaborne invasion of Holland. No major unit was lost on either side. Although there are some inaccuracies in the painting, it relates to the moment when a British ship has lost her mast. The ship could either be the 'Charles', 96 guns, under the command of Rear-Admiral Sir John Chicheley, commander of the red squadron, or the 'Royal Prince', 100 guns, under Admiral, Sir Edward Spragge who commanded the blue squadron. The ship flies the red ensign and erroneously flies a Union flag. The inaccuracy of date and depiction may be the fault of the artist or the result of later over-painting. The listing ship to the far left, suggests the British 'Royal Sovereign', 100 guns, the flagship of the Admiral and Commander-in-Chief, Prince Rupert.
The action between the British ships, left and background, and the Dutch ship on the right is played out by the small craft in the foreground. In the small boats, men attack each other with oars, daggers or cutlasses, demonstrating the ferocity and destruction enacted by the men-of-war. Exhausted sailors are hauled out of the water into small boats and among the debris in the water several floating hats emphasize the human element of battle. Most of the small boats have come from British ships, but the boat portrayed in broadside bears the coat of arms of Amsterdam. Thus one Dutch ship is fighting off the British, and imitating the main action taking place behind. The artist has placed his name on the side of the small boat in the foreground and the date on the stern above the tiller. The Dutch ship on the right, is thought to be the 'Gouden Leeuw', Tromp's first flagship at the Battle of Texel, although she appears to be flying the fighting ensign of Ostend at the stern. The dismantled ship on the left, is possibly the 'Royal Prince', Spragge's first flagship. The picture was, however, painted 12 years after the event.
The artist was initially a calligrapher in his native Germany before moving to Amsterdam. There, he was inspired by the grisaille drawings of van de Velde the Elder. Later, he was introduced to marine painting in oils in the studios of van Everdingen and Dubbels. He was a contemporary of van de Velde the Younger and shared with him a concern for painting ships with accuracy and understanding.
The Battle of Texel, 11 August 1673
Ludolf Bakhuizen was a Dutch painter and engraver born in Emden, Germany in 1630. He is best known for his maritime paintings depicting ships at sea, naval battles and coastal scenes. Bakhuizen moved to Amsterdam at a young age and began his career as an engraver. He later turned to painting and became one of the most prominent marine artists of his time. His paintings were highly sought after by wealthy patrons and he received many commissions from the Dutch Navy. Bakhuizen's paintings were characterised by their dramatic compositions, use of light and shadow and attention to detail. He was adept at capturing the movement of waves and the effects of light on water. His works often depicted stormy seas, shipwrecks and battles between ships. In addition to his paintings, Bakhuizen also produced engravings and drawings. He died in Amsterdam in 1708 at the age of 78. Today his works can be found in museums and private collections around the world, including the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England.
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