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Biography of Ludolf Bakhuizen (1630–1708)
Dutch marine painter born in Emden, East Frisia, (now Germany) on 18 December 1631. Although he painted other subjects and made drawings, his reputation lies chiefly with large stormy seascapes, such as ‘Ships in Distress on a Lee Shore’ (1667, National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.), known in a number of versions. Before he took up painting he worked as a clerk and calligrapher, first in his native Emden and then in Amsterdam, where he arrived sometime around 1650. In 1656 he is recorded as a member of the Amsterdam calligraphic society. His first known painting dates from 1658. The artists Allart van Everdingen and Hendrick Dubbels were probably his teachers; the latter influenced his early works. Willem van de Velde the Younger was also influential and a rival, but after he and his father left for England in 1672–73, Bakhuizen’s position remained unchallenged and he soon became one of the leading painters of seascapes and battle scenes, both historic and imaginary. Among his most important paintings is the ‘View of the Amsterdam Harbour’ (1665, Louvre, Paris) commissioned by the Council of the city and presented to the French Minister of Finances, Hugues de Lionne. Although darkly tonal his paintings can be very dramatic, as in the huge storm scene in the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Brussels, or the lively ‘Merchant shipping anchorage in the Texel’ in the National Maritime Museum, London. His work was in great demand and entered the collections of emperors, princes and ordinary Dutch citizens alike. Peter the Great of Russia and later Frederick the Great of Prussia both owned examples. He was also a sociable man, with many friends. Other forms of his name are Backhuyzen, Backhuysen and Bakhuyzen.
View paintings by Ludolf Bakhuizen
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