Dutch Ships in a Gale, Jan Porcellis from the old master collection

A three-masted merchant ship, possibly a fluyt, is shown, in the centre, labouring before a storm in an open sea. It is in convoy with two other vessels. Two of the sails on the principal ship are spread and the mainsail is temporarily out of control after breaking loose in the wind. The topsails and lateen mizzen are furled. The foresail is drawing with the yard half lowered. Figures, facing leeward, can be seen attending to the rigging on the deck. On the left a square-rigged, single-masted boat follows astern of the leading ship. In this vessel a small figure, clothed in lambent red, is seated. The image is a consummate display of draughtsmanship. On the far left another large ship, travels under billowing main- and fore-courses, into the centre of the painting and towards the chaos generated by the gale. A barrel can be seen floating in the waves in the right foreground. The stern of another ship is faintly visible on the far right of the composition. The rest of this vessel has been cut off by the edge of the painting. As in other works by Porcellis (see BHC0719 and BHC0720) the emphasis is less on the ships themselves than upon the atmospheric effects of sky, clouds, air and water. The sky occupies half the scene. On the right dark clouds enhance the atmospheric effect. All aspects of the painting are rendered in virtually identical shades of dark grey. As the sea meets sky at the horizon, in the middle of the painting, the two merge into one another. Only the foamy whi