Beschreibung:

POST MEDIEVAL OIL PORTRAIT OF ADMIRAL MICHIEL ADRIAENSZOON DE RUYTER Circa 1667 AD A high quality oil on panel, gilt-on-gesso-framed portrait of Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter (1607-1676), Lieutenant-Admiral-General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands; the admiral depicted in middle age, with shoulder-length dark hair and a moustache, wearing a black coat with a white lace jabot and ceremonial chain, over a gold-coloured shirt and breeches, with gold sash, standing with his right arm on a globe, a short staff in his hand, in front of a window, the heavy red curtain partially open to reveal a view of tall ships. 915 grams, 50 x 33 cm including frame (19 1/2 x 13"). Fine condition, sometime cleaned, very slight damage to frame. Provenance Acquired on the London art market before 2000. Footnotes This portrait is a smaller version of the portraits by Ferdinand Bol now in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich and the Scheepvaartmuseum, Amsterdam, painted in 1667; it is possible that the painting offered here was also by Bol, or from his studio, in view of the identical setting, composition and details exhibited. Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter was admiral during the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the 17th century and is especially remembered for his raid on the River Medway (Kent) in June 1667 where his ships burned at least thirteen British warships and captured others including HMS Royal Charles, the flagship and pride of the English fleet. This action led to an early end to the war and favourable terms for the Dutch; it was the worst defeat ever inflicted on the Royal Navy.