The Burgh of Leyden by Cornelisz van de Beste

About "The Burgh of Leyden"

by Cornelisz van de Beste

About the artwork

Den Burgh van Leyden, last journey.
The VOC return ship 'Den Burgh van Leyden', commanded by Captain Joost Klarebout and sailing for the Zeeland Chamber of Commerce, set sail from Wielingen, Zeeland, on 14 December 1682, together with Het Wapen van Alckmaer and De Ridderschap van Hollant for Batavia. They arrived at the Cape of Good Hope on May 13, 1683 and departed on May 21, 1683, arriving in Batavia on July 28, 1683.
Den Burgh van Leyden', commanded by Captain Bartholomeus Nouters, departed from Batavia on February 8, 1684. On departure with final destination Zeeland, the return fleet, commanded by Jozephas Vosch, consisted of the mirror return ships Afrika, Ridderschap van Hollant, Burgh van Leyden, and the pinnacles Wapen van Alckmaer, Eylant Mauritius, Oostenburgh and Vrije Zee. The ship Afrika was burned on 23 April 1684 in the Indian Ocean. The fleet arrives at the Cape of Good Hope on 14 November 1684. The return fleet set sail and arrived in Zeeland on 6 February 1685. This was the last voyage of the Burgh van Leyden, the ship was laid up (Dismantled) after arrival.
Background information:
The ship 'Den Burgh van Leyden' was one of the ships of the United East India Company (VOC, 1602 - 1799). On the stern a picture of the Burgh of Leiden. The VOC was a very successful private Dutch trading company with a monopoly on overseas trade, especially with East Asia and is also seen as the first multinational trading company.