The Battle of Gibraltar, 25 April 1607

Cornelis Claesz van Wieringen was a maritime painter in early 17th century Haarlem, which Laurens J. Bol refers to as the “cradle of Dutch maritime painting”. A captain’s son, Wieringen at first also went to sea before becoming an artist. He concentrated on painted and drawn maritime scenes and went on to become the most accomplished marine painter of his time. He received numerous commissions from public institutions in Haarlem and Amsterdam, including the monumental painting “The Battle of Gibraltar”, of the legendary “Taking of Damiette” (Haarlem, Frans-Hals-Museum), the composition of which was used in one of the largest tapestries ever woven in the 17th century (240 x 1075 cm, Haarlem, Rathaus, Vroedschapskamer).

The naval battle of Gibraltar took place on 25 April 1607, during the Eighty Years’ War, when a Dutch fleet surprised and engaged a Spanish fleet anchored at the Bay of Gibraltar. During the four hours’ of action, most of the Spanish ships were destroyed.

The painting is on loan from the Het Scheepvaartmuseum, Amsterdam.