Dutch Men of War at Anchor 1625 - 1693

Willem van de Velde the Elder rendered "Dutch Men of War at Anchor" in pen and brown ink, and brush in grey wash. As one of the foremost maritime artists of the Dutch Golden Age, Van de Velde lived in a time when the Netherlands was a major naval power. In this drawing, he depicts the anchored warships which symbolize the nation’s economic and military strength derived from maritime trade. These ships were not merely vessels of commerce, but also instruments of colonial power. They facilitated the transportation of goods and, tragically, enslaved people, across vast distances, and were essential to the Dutch empire's expansion into territories that belonged to other cultures. Van de Velde's skilled depiction of these ships provides insight into how national and cultural identities are constructed and asserted through maritime dominance. While aesthetically pleasing, "Dutch Men of War at Anchor" invites us to reflect on the complex layers of power, exploitation, and cultural exchange that underpin the image of Dutch maritime greatness.