De tocht van de Engelse koning Karel II over de Thames naar Sheerness en Chatham op 27 Augustus 1681 Possibly 1681 - 1688

Editor: This is Willem van de Velde the Elder's "The Journey of the English King Charles II on the Thames to Sheerness and Chatham on 27 August 1681," made with pencil on paper. It feels very airy and light, despite depicting what looks like a historically significant event. How do you interpret this work? Curator: I see a careful staging of power and legitimacy. The Thames itself acts as a symbolic river, almost a 'river of time', carrying Charles II toward a pre-determined destination; those bulbous, cloudy forms in the sky are very telling. Editor: Telling how? Are those shapes simply Baroque clouds? Curator: Perhaps, but they remind me more of cannon smoke… of possible conflict and certainly of strength, looming and echoing. These are not just formal elements; the clouds and perhaps that suggestion of danger reference a broader cultural anxiety about the Stuart succession and naval power, as well as triumph. Do you see any further imagery reinforcing the idea of inherited power and dominion? Editor: Well, the boats all seem to be positioned to emphasize movement towards the right of the picture... a positive direction for the King’s travels. There also appears to be some effort to render the royal vessel larger than all of the others. Curator: Precisely! Van de Velde is consciously crafting an image not just of a journey, but of a monarch's destiny, visually linking Charles II to notions of historical inevitability and dominance through careful visual arrangement. Notice, however, the fragility of the line, almost hesitant, signifying the delicate nature of royal power. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way; I was really only seeing a picture of boats on the river. But now I can better appreciate the visual choices van de Velde made. Curator: And the deeper historical resonances embedded within a seemingly simple drawing. Each element contributes to the narrative and elevates the artwork.