Andries van Eertvelt

Andries van Eertvelt was one of the founders of marine painting in Flanders. He painted sea battles, storms and ships at anchor, and his early work uses dark greens, browns and blacks to create a stormy, dramatic mood.

He was baptised in Antwerp in 1590 and became a master of the Guild of Saint Luke in 1609. From 1628 to 1630 he worked in Genoa, and afterwards his colour became softer and more subtle. He taught several later marine painters. He died in Antwerp in 1652. His Two Ships at Anchor is in the Hermitage.

Battle of Lepanto and Ships in Peril show his taste for crowded, dramatic scenes at sea.