Ludolf Bakhuizen

The actual painting is slightly softer in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The canvas has an old relining and is slightly undulant. Stretcher marks are slightly visible along the left edge. No major damages seem to be apparent. Some minor thinnes can be observed in the waves and in the strip of land, but otherwise, the paint surface seems to be in reasonably good condition. Particularly the brushwork in the highlights of the waves has been nicely preserved. Spots of retouching can be observed in the lower left corner, in the upper left corner, and along all edges. The paint surface is covered with a glossy, discoloured layer of varnish. Inspection under ultra violet light is largely obscured by the dirty varnish layer, but does confirm the aforementioned retouchings. Offered in a later plain wood frame with faux tortoiseshell fillets in good condition.(MW)
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In the late 1690s Ludolf Bakhuizen began to paint dramatic compositions wherein storms dictate a typical contrast of dangerous clouds and a bright sky. The narrative is usually amplified by torn sails, driftwood and barrels in the water and in this case a broken mast. Although this composition is quite unique within his oeuvre, it does somewhat relate to one of his rare works with a biblical theme Christ in the storm at lake Galilee, now in the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, USA.¹

1. See G. de Beer, Ludolf Backhuysen, sein leben und werk (1630-1708), Zwolle 2002, p. 143, reproduced fig. 172.