Sailing Boats in a Rough Sea
By the time Bakhuizen painted this stormy picture the great tradition of Dutch 17th century seascape painting was nearing its end. Bakhuizen was paticularly adept at recording the atmosphere of an inky sky. As well as painting marines, for which he is best known, the artist was a portrait painter and engraver. He was very successful during his lifetime, spending his long career in Amsterdam. He had many eminent patrons and it was only in the 19th century that his reputation faltered.
