The Destroying of Six Barbary Ships near Cape Spartel, Willem van de Velde the Younger, 1677

Van de velde depicts an encirclement of english ships (in the foreground), dutch ships (to the right), while the barbary ships are seen burning in the distance with cape spartel on the left. At anchor in the centre is 'the portsmouth'; ahead of her is 'the hampshire', firing her guns and flying a pendant. Signed on the reverse (presumably copied onto the lining canvas from an original inscription): 'w v velde / ao 1677'. Object Type: painting. Date: 1677. Dimensions: height: 126.1 cm (49.6 in) ; width: 182.4 cm (71.8 in). Medium: oil on canvas. Collection: Royal Collection. Willem van de Velde the Younger (1633-1707) - The Destroying of Six Barbary Ships near Cape Spartel - RCIN 405224 - Royal Collection