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Dutch Ships in a Calm Sea is an oil-on-canvas painting by Dutch marine artist Willem van de Velde the Younger (1633–1707), dating from about 1665. The son of Willem van de Velde the Elder, who also specialized in marine art, he was first instructed by his father and later by Simon de Vlieger. His brother was Adriaen van de Velde, a landscape and animal painter.
Most of Van de Velde's finest works represent shipping off the coast of Holland. The vessels are painted with intricate detail and almost photographic accuracy, providing a high-quality record of the appearance of shipping of the period. He also excelled in his rendering of the sea and sky under various weather conditions. This painting is in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.Painting credit: Willem van de Velde the Younger