Julius Porcellis, Marina Vessels Landscape, 17th Century, Oil on Panel, Framed

Details

Description

Julius porcellis (rotterdam 1610 – 1645 leiden) attributable

seascape with vessels

oil on wooden panel (oak)
52 x 84 cm. … Read more Julius porcellis (rotterdam 1610 – 1645 leiden) attributable

seascape with vessels

oil on wooden panel (oak)
52 x 84 cm. - in a gilded wooden frame 77 x 108 cm.

the painting on display depicts a suggestive seascape in a storm: the rough sea breaks on a rocky reef while some boats, including a small fishing vessel near the shore and a merchant ship offshore, try to continue their route despite the weather conditions.

a typical subject of baroque painting, the impetus of the sea was a very popular theme especially in dutch art of the 17th century, capable of representing the power of nature in a dynamic, exciting and dramatic way.

the resistance of the ships against the waves, where we can imagine the crew trying to maintain control, was intended as a metaphor for life, indicating a close but vulnerable interrelation with the forces of nature, often in contrast with the fragility of man.

the work presents a pictorial style and a compositional choice that in our opinion allow a clear reference to the hand of julius porcellis (rotterdam 1610 – leiden 1645), a dutch golden age painter specialized in marine views and the son of jan porcellis (1584–1632), who trained him and under whose influence he remained throughout his life.

even during the 17th and 18th centuries, painting connoisseurs found it difficult to distinguish between the work of the father and that of the son.

as we can find in many of his marines, porcellis depicted the stormy sea breaking on a high rock formation. The three-masted ship, in the distance, known as the pinnacle, with its sails furled to protect them from stormy winds, is also a signature feature.

our work can be compared, for example, to the painting ‘’fishing boat in rough sea’’, preserved at the national maritime museum in greenwich (1). It can also be compared to the ‘’expedition in rough sea’’ of the kingston lacy estate in dorset (2), or to a work preserved at the lakenhal museum in leiden (3). Paintings by julius porcellis are relatively rare especially in the antique market, we can name the work ‘’ships in distress off a rocky coast’’ sold at christie’s on 8.12.2023 (4).
our view is typical of the master, with his classical compositional style that made him highly regarded at home and abroad, promoting a new style and subject matter in marine painting with a focus on cloudy skies and rough waters.

porcellis's contribution to dutch art also lies in his emphasis on the effects of light: the composition is in fact enveloped in a strong luminosity, with a sky full of clouds from which flashes of light spread, which reverberate on the water and illuminate the foaming waves, highlighting the three-dimensionality of the painting.

additional information:

the painting is sold complete with a pleasant frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and an iconographic descriptive sheet. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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