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          • Willem van de Velde the Elder
          • Most Popular Paintings
          the collector's folio

          Willem van de Velde the Elder Most Popular Paintings

          The 25 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

          Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
          Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Willem van de Velde the Elder · 1611 – 1693

          The Battle of Livorno

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #1: The Battle of Livorno
          1654 · Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam · original 114 x 160 cm

          Witness the dramatic naval battle of Livorno by Willem van de Velde the Elder! This meticulously detailed 1654 painting captures a pivotal moment with stunning precision and historical significance.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 1 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18135 × 29 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$701160 × 114 cm Commission at original size

          Entrance to a Dutch Port

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #2: Entrance to a Dutch Port
          1665 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 66 x 78 cm

          Admire Willem van de Velde the Elder’s masterful depiction of a Dutch harbor scene – Entrance to a Dutch Port (1665). Explore its rich detail, serene atmosphere & historical significance at WahooArt.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 2 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18135 × 29 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$30878 × 66 cm Commission at original size

          The Gust

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #3: The Gust
          1680 · Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam · original 77 x 64 cm

          Witness a dramatic Dutch Golden Age seascape by Willem van de Velde the Elder! 'The Gust' showcases turbulent seas & ship battles in rich impasto, embodying Romanticism’s power.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 3 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$30164 × 77 cm Commission at original size

          Large Ships and Boats in a Calm

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #4: Large Ships and Boats in a Calm
          1660 · English Heritage, London · original 41 x 42 cm

          Experience the serene beauty of 'Large Ships and Boats in a Calm' by Willem van de Velde the Elder. This 1660 oil on panel captures Dutch maritime life with stunning detail & precision – a timeless masterpiece.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 4 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18132 × 31 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$20342 × 41 cm Commission at original size

          The Taking of the English Flagship the Royal Prince (detail)

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #5: The Taking of the English Flagship the Royal Prince (detail)
          1666 · Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

          Witness the dramatic naval battle of 'The Taking of the English Flagship'! Willem van de Velde's masterpiece captures intense action, detailed ships & stormy seas with exquisite precision.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 5 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18133 × 30 cm Commission this artwork

          The Battle of Livorno (detail)

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #6: The Battle of Livorno (detail)
          1654 · Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

          Witness the intensity of naval warfare! Willem van de Velde's 'Battle of Livorno' captures a historic clash with stunning realism and detail. Explore this iconic 17th-century maritime masterpiece.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 6 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18129 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

          The Burning of the 'Andrew' at the Battle of Scheveningen

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #7: The Burning of the 'Andrew' at the Battle of Scheveningen
          1654 · Wallace Collection, London · original 85 x 108 cm

          Witness the dramatic naval battle of Scheveningen! Willem van de Velde's masterpiece depicts the fiery destruction of HMS Andrew, showcasing masterful detail and historical intensity.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 7 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18136 × 28 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$429108 × 85 cm Commission at original size

          Ships in a Storm

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #8: Ships in a Storm
          National Trust, Antony · original 58 x 68 cm

          Experience the dramatic power of Willem van de Velde the Elder's 'Ships in a Storm,' a meticulously crafted seascape capturing a perilous maritime battle with three vessels battling turbulent waves and winds.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 8 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18135 × 29 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$27168 × 58 cm Commission at original size

          Calm French Merchant Ships at Anchor

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #9: Calm French Merchant Ships at Anchor
          1670 · Wallace Collection, London · original 61 x 75 cm

          Experience the maritime mastery of Willem van de Velde's 'Calm French Merchant Ships.' A stunning c.1670 oil painting, now available as a museum-quality giclée print.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 9 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18135 × 29 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$29075 × 61 cm Commission at original size

          The Cannon Shot

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #10: The Cannon Shot
          1680 · Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam · original 67 x 78 cm

          Willem van de Velde’s ‘The Cannon Shot,’ a breathtaking penschilderij depicting a Dutch warship firing during the Battle of Texel, captures the dynamism and meticulous detail of Dutch Golden Age maritime art. Admire this masterful piece and explore its rich history.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 10 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18129 × 34 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$31067 × 78 cm Commission at original size

          Calm Dutch Ships Coming to Anchor

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #11: Calm Dutch Ships Coming to Anchor
          1655 · Wallace Collection, London · original 170 x 233 cm

          Experience the serene beauty of 'Calm Dutch Ships Coming to Anchor' by Willem van de Velde the Elder – a meticulously detailed 17th-century maritime masterpiece capturing a tranquil naval scene.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 11 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$23137 × 27 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$1388233 × 170 cm Commission at original size

          Seascape, Ships and Boats in a Calm off a Rocky Shore

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #12: Seascape, Ships and Boats in a Calm off a Rocky Shore
          New Walk Museum - Art Gallery, Leicester · original 35 x 48 cm

          Experience the tranquility of maritime life during the Dutch Golden Age with Willem van de Velde the Elder's 'Seascape, Ships and Boats in a Calm off a Rocky Shore.' A serene depiction of ships and boats against a rocky coastline.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 12 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18137 × 27 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$20248 × 35 cm Commission at original size

          The 'Resolution' in a Gale

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #13: The 'Resolution' in a Gale
          1678 · original 119 x 102 cm

          Experience the dramatic intensity of a stormy sea in The Resolution in a Gale by Dutch Golden Age master Willem van de Velde the Elder, a breathtaking maritime oil painting perfect for any fine art collection.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 13 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18129 × 34 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$518102 × 119 cm Commission at original size

          The Cannon Shot

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #14: The Cannon Shot
          1670 · Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam · original 78 x 67 cm

          Willem van de Velde the Elder (1611-1693) revolutionized maritime art with his innovative pen technique. Witness his legacy in ‘The Cannon Shot’ and discover more about his groundbreaking style.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 14 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18129 × 34 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$31067 × 78 cm Commission at original size

          Ships on a Stormy Sea

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #15: Ships on a Stormy Sea
          1672 · Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo · original 132 x 192 cm
          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 15 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18138 × 26 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$913192 × 132 cm Commission at original size

          Calm Sea

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #16: Calm Sea
          Alte Pinakothek, Munich · original 51 x 56 cm

          Experience the serene beauty of "Calm Sea" by Willem van de Velde the Elder – a masterful Dutch Golden Age maritime painting capturing tranquility and detail. Explore its rich history & artistic significance.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 16 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18133 × 30 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$23856 × 51 cm Commission at original size

          The ''Gouden Leeuw'' before Amsterdam (detail)

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #17: The ''Gouden Leeuw'' before Amsterdam (detail)
          1686 · Исторический музей Амстердама, Amsterdam

          Explore Willem van de Velde the Elder's 'The Gouden Leeuw before Amsterdam (detail)' – a stunning 1686 maritime painting showcasing a detailed sailing ship scene, reflecting Dutch Golden Age artistry and naval history.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 17 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18129 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

          Ships under English Flags at Sea, a Squall Approaching

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #18: Ships under English Flags at Sea, a Squall Approaching
          1705 · National Trust, Guildford · original 26 x 36 cm

          This stunning seascape by Willem van de Velde the Elder captures the drama and power of a gale-swept ocean. Featuring five prominent sails on weathered vessels, the painting exemplifies the artist's signature pen technique and showcases his dedication to detail.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 18 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18137 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

          Philosopher And Pupils

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #19: Philosopher And Pupils
          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 19 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18136 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

          Ships off the Coast

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #20: Ships off the Coast
          1672 · Liechtenstein Museum, Vienna · original 45 x 55 cm
          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 20 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18136 × 28 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$22655 × 45 cm Commission at original size

          The Taking of the English Flagship the Royal Prince

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #21: The Taking of the English Flagship the Royal Prince
          1666 · Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam · original 59 x 81 cm

          Witness the epic naval battle! Willem van de Velde's 'The Taking of the Royal Prince' captures the intensity of the 1666 Dutch-English clash with stunning detail and realism.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 21 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18138 × 26 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$29681 × 59 cm Commission at original size

          The ‘Charles Galley’ before a Light Breeze

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #22: The ‘Charles Galley’ before a Light Breeze
          1677 · original 71 x 95 cm

          A majestic view of the Charles Galley sailing through calm waters by Dutch Golden Age master Willem van de Velde the Elder captures maritime precision and invites you to bring this historic seascape into your collection.

          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 22 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18136 × 28 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$35695 × 71 cm Commission at original size

          Dismasted Ship in Rough Sea

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #23: Dismasted Ship in Rough Sea
          Government Art Collection, London · original 64 x 76 cm
          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 23 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18135 × 29 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$29976 × 64 cm Commission at original size

          An English Ship at Sea Lying To in a Gale

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #24: An English Ship at Sea Lying To in a Gale
          original 32 x 38 cm
          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 24 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18135 × 28 cm Commission this artwork
          Same size as the original$18838 × 32 cm Commission at original size

          An Allegory

          View the most popular artwork of Willem van de Velde the Elder ranked #25: An Allegory
          Technique
          Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
          Made
          To order, by a trained painter
          Popularity
          No. 25 of 208 artworks by Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Delivery
          Worldwide, about 5 weeks
          from$18136 × 28 cm Commission this artwork
          The artist

          Willem van de Velde the Elder

          1611 – 1693

          Portrait of Willem van de Velde the Elder
          Quick facts
          • Topics exploredboats, 17th century, maritime art, seascape, beach
          • Color intensitybalanced, monochromatic
          • Movementsdutch golden age
          • Top-ranked workThe Battle of Livorno
          • Museums on APSAlte Pinakothek, Rijksmuseum, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Toledo Museum of Art, Hermitage Museum
          • NationalityNetherlands
          • Creative periodsmature period
          • Typical colorsneutrals, earthy
          Biography

          Early Life, Family and Training

          Born in Leiden, Netherlands, around 1611, Willem van de Velde the Elder was a child of the sea. His father, Willem Willemsz. van de Velde, was a Flemish skipper, and this maritime lineage ensured that the boy’s earliest understandings were shaped by the salt and wind of the Dutch Republic. Rather than receiving a formal education within the walls of an academy, his training was rooted in the direct observation of the water. He learned the anatomy of ships and the movement of the tides through lived experience, a foundation that would later define his precision.

          The artist settled in the Lastage area of Leiden, living in Korte Koningstraat, a place where the sounds of the harbor were a constant companion. In 1631, he entered into marriage with Judith Adriaens van Leeuwen. Their union brought forth a family that would become a dynasty of maritime artists. Among their three known legitimate children were Magdalena, Willem the Younger, and Adriaen. This domestic life was deeply intertwined with the maritime world, as the family lived amidst the very vessels and sailors that would become his life's work.

          As he grew, the boy's intimate knowledge of rigging and hull grew into a specialized skill. He did not merely look at a ship; he understood its purpose and its struggle against the elements. This early immersion in the life of a skipper's son allowed him to capture the authentic character of the sea, moving beyond simple imitation to a profound understanding of how wind interacts with sail and how light strikes a moving wave.

          Technique and Artistic Style

          The artist possessed a hand of singular precision, a skill born from a life spent observing the intricate rigging and timber of the vessels that crowded the Leiden harbors. He achieved great distinction through his development of pen painting, a method known as penschilderij. In this practice, he applied ink with meticulous care to panels, vellum, or canvas, creating works that held the clarity of a fine drawing but possessed the permanence of a painting. Every rope, sail, and plank was rendered with such exactness that his sketches functioned as vital visual archives of the maritime world. He did not seek to idealize the sea, but rather to record the authentic appearance of ships as they truly moved through the water.

          As his years progressed, he found that the ink and pen, though precise, could not fully capture the shifting moods of the atmosphere or the way light dances upon a restless swell. To solve this, he turned his attention to oil paints. This transition allowed him to master the subtle interplay of light and shadow, bringing a new sense of depth to his compositions. His brushwork became remarkably gentle, capturing the glint of sunlight on waves and the heavy weight of billowing sails. Through this evolution from the sharp line of the pen to the soft touch of the brush, he learned to translate the very essence of the wind and the water onto his supports.

          Patrons, Workshop and Commissions

          The artist’s life was shaped by the shifting tides of naval power and the needs of those who commanded the seas. For a time, he served as the official artist of the Dutch fleet, a position that allowed him to witness the great naval engagements of the era firsthand. This proximity to the water and the warships provided him with the essential sketches and observations that would later define his career. His reputation for precision eventually drew the attention of royalty, leading to a significant change in his fortunes when he was engaged by Charles II of England in 1672. This connection would ultimately lead him and his family across the water to a new life.

          The move to England, which took place during the winter of 1672 to 1673, brought with it a level of stability and prestige. The King provided him with an annual salary and a dedicated studio at the Queen's House in Greenwich. This was no solitary endeavor; the Van de Velde name became a flourishing international family business. For seventy years, the family studio operated with great success, a dynasty of maritime artists who understood both the art of the brush and the business of the sea. His son, Willem the Younger, would eventually join him in this enterprise, helping to establish a legacy that spanned generations and crossed borders.

          Key Works and Notable Pieces

          The artist’s hand was often found amidst the smoke and chaos of actual naval engagements. During the summer of 1666, he moved through the heat of conflict to capture the essence of maritime warfare, producing sketches at the Four Days Battle from 1 to 4 June. He did not rest after those skirmishes, returning to the sea to make sketches at the St James's Day Battle on 25 July 1666. These observations allowed him to translate the movement of fleets into his detailed visual language.

          His later years saw him applying his skill to larger scales and different mediums. In 1687, he produced The Battle of Texel, an oil on canvas that reflects his mastery of the sea. Beyond the canvas, his designs extended to grand decorative works, including two large wall-hangings that measure 5.87 x 3.30 metres and 4.57 x 3.30 metres.

          Legacy and Influence

          The influence of Willem van de Velde the Elder reached far beyond the harbors of Leiden, as he helped establish the very foundations of marine art. By combining the meticulous eye of a ship's draughtsman with a profound understanding of the sea, he transformed the way maritime events were recorded for posterity. His works remain among the most historically valuable images of seventeenth-century sea power, capturing the intricate rigging and the chaotic energy of naval engagements with a precision that few could match. He did not merely paint ships; he documented the strength and movement of empires upon the water.

          This legacy took on a new dimension when he moved to England, where his presence helped shape a new tradition. Alongside his son, Willem van de Velde the Younger, he is widely credited with founding the English school of marine painting. While the elder focused his mastery on pen drawings and ink paintings, his son brought those studies to life through oil, creating a family dynasty that defined the genre for generations. Their collaborative spirit ensured that the art of the sea would be preserved through both the delicate line of the pen and the depth of the brush.

          Where to See the Works Today

          To witness the precision of his hand, one must travel to the great repositories of the Netherlands. In the Mauritshuis, his presence is felt through works that capture the essence of the Dutch Golden Age. Nearby, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam holds several of his paintings, including the depiction of the Battle of Livorno from about 1654. These halls preserve the memory of a man who watched the great fleets from the very decks of the ships themselves.

          The artist's influence crossed the sea to England, where his legacy found a permanent home. The Royal Museums Greenwich holds the world's largest collection of his work, a vast assembly of his maritime observations. It was here that his life became intertwined with the English court, and his sketches and paintings continue to reside in these maritime halls. In London, the Wallace Collection also features his paintings, offering a glimpse into the calm and the storm through his practiced eye.

          • The Battle of Livorno, about 1654
          • The Taking of the English Flagship the Royal Prince (detail)
          • The Gust, about 1680
          • The Cannon Shot, about 1680

          Questions & Answers

          Can I explore Willem van de Velde the Elder's works by color spectrum?

          The Spectral Index page organizes Willem van de Velde the Elder's artworks by color.

          What are the birthplace and birth year of Willem van de Velde the Elder?

          Willem van de Velde the Elder was born in Leiden in 1611.

          Can I browse Willem van de Velde the Elder's works by medium?

          To find all works by Willem van de Velde the Elder in a given medium, use the artist's All Medium page.

          By the WahooArt.com Editorial Team Updated Oct. 15, 2026
          Collector's quiz
          1. Where was Willem van de Velde the Elder born?

          2. What was the profession of Willem van de Velde the Elder's father?

          3. Which technique did Van de Velde the Elder pioneer?

          4. Which English monarch engaged Van de Velde the Elder in 1672?

          5. Which of these is a notable work by the artist mentioned in the text?

          Keep exploring

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