Adam Willaerts

Adam Willaerts painted the sea and the busy shores around it. His pictures show ships at anchor, harbours, crowded beaches with fish being sold, and naval battles, all rendered with bright colour and lots of lively detail.

He was born in London to Flemish parents who soon moved to the Netherlands, and from 1597 he lived in Utrecht. He joined the Utrecht painters’ guild in 1611 and later served as its dean. Among his best known works are The Pilgrims Leaving Delftshaven of 1620 and scenes of Dutch victories over the Spanish fleet, one of which is in the Rijksmuseum. His sons Abraham, Cornelis and Isaac also became painters.

Look for the careful drawing of rigging and hulls and the many small figures along the shore, which make his pictures reward close viewing.