The Merchant Shipping Anchorage

The Merchant Shipping Anchorage of Texel Island with Oude Schild in the Distance

Ludolf Backhuysen I

Oil on canvas

106.5 x 165 cm

1665

Ludolf Backhuysen (Dec 28, 1630 – Nov 17, 1708) was a Dutch painter, born in Emden, Hanover.  He was an ardent student of nature, and frequently exposed himself on the sea in an open boat in order to study the effects of storms.  After a visit to England he died in Amsterdam on November 17, 1708.

http://www.opaintings.com/artists/backhuysen/biography/

 

This painting shows the merchant anchorage off the island of Texel, where ships of the Dutch East Indian Company (VOC) used to gather before setting sail for East Indies. In the center there are three vessels, a boyer, a kaag and a pink, full of people loading cargo. The smaller boats are delivering supplies to the larger boyer, while its crew is busy hoisting sails.

The scene is full of dynamism in the style that distinguishes Backhuysen from his contemporaries.  The light-colored sail directs viewer’s attention to the events on board of the pink where a family of one of the departing mariners is captured in the height of excitement.

G. de Beer, E-J Goossens, B. van de Roemer, “Backhuysen at the Helm!”, Stichting Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam, 2004

All paintings were selected solely on the basis that they fit within the theme of boats or ships, and that I felt emotionally moved by them