Biography for Willem van de Velde

Employment

Willem Van de Velde the Younger was a marine painter, his early works were of seascapes. When he and his father Willem the Elder (1611-1693) emigrated to England in 1674, both were employed in the service of King Charles II. At this time his works started to concentrate on shipping and naval activities. He worked on the some paintings with his father, in these cases it is believed that his father was the draughtsman and he undertook the colouring. Van de Velde was celebrated in his own day for his sensitive depiction of light and atmosphere at sea, The finest collections of his work are still in England.