(Utrecht circa 1620–1693)
A coastal scene with ships and fishermen,
signed lower left: Willarts,
oil on panel, 43.5 x 63.5 cm, framed

Provenance:
European art market

The present busy maritime painting by the Dutch artist Isaac Willaerts depicts a restless sea and puffy, scudding clouds, which bring a sense of freshness that sweeps across the coastal landscape. Two men-o’-war at anchor dominate the coastline, their impressive and imposing size draw the viewer’s attention. Smaller ships and boats seem to struggle in navigating the choppy waters, no doubt due to the stiff breeze that is whipping up the tops of the waves. In the distance on the right are the church and buildings of a town perched on a hill and close to the shore. People litter the foreground, including fisherfolk who have just disembarked from their grounded boat.

The present painting is a characteristic example associated with the Willaerts family of painters. Though undoubtedly imaginary, the descriptive realism in the depiction of the townscape, boats, and figures is clearly to attract and hold the viewer’s gaze. Trained by his father, the accomplished marine painter Adam Willaerts (1577–1664), Isaac specialised in coastal landscapes and maritime scenes, closely in the manner of his father’s works. A similar composition to the present painting was sold at Christie’s, London (see sale, Christie’s, London, 19 July 1973, lot 260).