Naval battle of Michiel de Ruyter by Atelier Liesjes

About "Naval battle of Michiel de Ruyter"

by Atelier Liesjes

About the artwork

Willem van de Velde (II), The fight of Michiel Adriaensz de Ruyter against the Duke of York on the 'Royal Prince' during the sea battle at Solebay

The fight of Michiel Adriaensz de Ruyter against the Duke of York on the 'Royal Prince' during the naval battle at Solebay, 7 June 1672: episode from the Third English Sea War (1672-74), Willem van de Velde (II), 1691
oil on canvas.

The Battle of Solebay (June 7, 1672) was the first naval battle of the Third Anglo-Dutch War. A fleet of 75 warships, 22 advisory yachts and 32 burners, with 4,500 guns and 20,700 people on board, of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands, under the command of Admiral Michiel de Ruyter, surprised an Anglo-French fleet of 93 warships and 24 burners with 6,158 guns and some 40,000 people on board, in the Solebay (Sole Bay) near Southwold on the Suffolk coast, on the east side of England.

Both sides saw themselves as victors. In any case, it was a strategic victory for the Republic: the blockade had failed and the Republic was in a better position to repair the damage.

Willem 'Wilm' Steelink jr. (Amsterdam, Holland, Netherlands 16 July 1856 - Voorburg, 27 November 1928) was a Dutch painter and graphic artist. He is considered to belong to the Laren School and was influenced by Anton Mauve.

Between 1873 and 1879 he studied at the Rijksakademie voor Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam and then at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp until 1881.