Battle of Medway c. 1668

fantasy concept art

abandoned

incomplete sketchy

river

study drawing

possibly oil pastel

derelict

underpainting

fantasy sketch

watercolor

environment sketch

Willem Schellinks' "Battle of Medway" (c. 1668) depicts a dramatic naval battle, highlighting the chaos and destruction of war. The painting showcases the artist's skill in capturing the movement and detail of the ships, with smoke billowing from their cannons, while a calm, almost serene sky provides a stark contrast. The composition evokes a sense of immediacy, drawing the viewer into the heart of the action, while the overall scene is one of both heroism and destruction. This significant event in Dutch history, where English forces attacked the Dutch fleet in the Medway River, is captured in vibrant detail in this oil-on-canvas artwork, now held in the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands.

Comments

rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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In June 1667 a battle fleet under the command of Michiel de Ruyter surprised the English anchored off Chatham. In the foreground Sheerness Fort can be seen going up in flames. A heavy barrier chain is strung midway across the River Medway, but in vain: columns of smoke rise from the various English ships torched by the Dutch upriver.