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Description
On the left of the picture, a Dutch flagship in broadside view, flying the Dutch flag, is preparing to enter a Mediterranean harbour. In the central foreground a Mediterranean galley leaves the harbour and to the right of the galley a Dutch fluyt also prepares to enter the harbour. Fluyts were widely used by the Dutch during the 17th century as trading ships. Their great advantage was that since they only required a small crew to handle them they were economical to operate. More Dutch shipping can be seen behind the jetty. The town on the right of the picture nestles under the hills which rise sharply behind the sea front. On the far side of the harbour a castle perches on a hill and behind the galley a tall tower sits on a promontory. These towers provided a useful landmark for shipping and perhaps served as lighthouses as well. The painting has been signed and although it has been suggested that the harbour depicted might be Genoa, the composition is probably wholly imaginary. The artist was known for his paintings of fanciful Mediterranean images.
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See also
Other paintings by Johannes Beerstraaten
Ship views diagram
Sails diagram
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