BHC0819

A Dutch ship in a breeze off a rocky coast Long Caption: A carefully delineated Dutch three-master on a rough sea, together with two other ships to the left and right. A rocky shoreline looms up to frame the left of the picture. On an outcrop of rock in the foreground, a group of six figures is huddled against the wind. One figure holds a red flag and their presence on the rocks underlines the danger to the ship of being blown onto the rocks. A wooden cross has been positioned on the outcrop above them, with a jagged tree above. These serve as visual metaphors for the vulnerability of man against nature, in which he will inevitably perish, but with the hope of Christian salvation. Credit line: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Palmer Collection. Acquired with the assistance of The Art Fund Object: BHC0819 Artist: Pieter Mulier, the Elder Date: circa 1640 Medium: oil on panel Size: 394 mm x 521 mm Click here to buy a bespoke print of this image.