An English Indiaman Attacked by Three Spanish Privateers, Willem van de Velde the Younger, 1677

In this ‘two-part’ episode (not known through any other source) an english ‘indiaman’ (merchant ship of the english east india company, flying its flag with red and white stripes) is attacked by three spanish pirate ships (flying the burgundian flag). This first painting in the series shows the crisis in the engagement, when the spanish are threatening to board the surrounded indiaman. In the centre, a large indiaman with two small privateers running aboard her on the starboard side; the nearer ship has inscribed across her bow 'sancte michal 1656'; a larger privateer (the sancte domingo) is running aboard her on the port side. Inscribed lower right: 'w. V. Velde ao 1677'. Object Type: painting. Date: 1677. Dimensions: height: 126.3 cm (49.7 in) ; width: 182.8 cm (71.9 in). Medium: oil on canvas. Collection: Royal Collection. Willem van de Velde the Younger (1633-1707) - An English Indiaman Attacked by Three Spanish Privateers - RCIN 405154 - Royal Collection