On the Enemy's Canvas: Willem van de Velde the Younger, the "Dutch" Seascape, and the Trouble with Representing Battles at Sea

This thesis examines the transition in European maritime power from the Dutch to the English at the turn of the eighteenth century as depicted in paintings of sea battles. I analyze the work of Willem van de Velde the Younger specifically, who began his career as one of the foremost Dutch seascape painters but would eventually move to England at Charles II’s request to paint maritime scenes from the English point of view. The thesis investigates questions of historical accuracy, artistic construction, and a national perspective in van de Velde’s works to more thoroughly consider the implications of marine painting as cultural claim to supremacy over the seas.  This project was supported by the Michael P. and Jean W. Carter Research Fund administered by Honors Carolina. This project was supported by the Beatrice B. Pearman Undergraduate Research Fund in Art –Department of Art and Art History, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.