Dutch Warships off a Rocky Coast with Soldiers Disembarking

‘ATTRIBUTED TO ADAM WILLAERTS 1577 London – 1664 Utrecht DUTCH WARSHIPS OFF A ROCKY COAST WITH SOLDIERS DISEMBARKING Oil on oak panel (cradled). 57.5 x 92.5 cm (F. 79 x 112 cm). Provenance: South German private collection.

Willaerts (occasionally Willarts, Willers) was born in London to Flemish parents who had fled from Antwerp for religious reasons. By 1585 the family lived in Leiden. From 1597 until his death, Adam lived and worked in Utrecht. He became a member of the Utrecht Guild of St. Luke in 1611 and subsequently became its dean in 1620. His sons Cornelis, Abraham, and Isaac followed in his footsteps.

He was known as a painter of river and canal pieces, coastal landscapes, fish-markets, processions, and genre scenes. He also painted villages and marine battle scenes.

His best known work is a contemporary depiction of the Pilgrims leaving Delftshaven aboard the Speedwell.