Willem van de Velde the Younger

Richard Newport, 2nd Earl of Bradford (1644-1723), Weston Park, Staffordshire;
By descent and inheritance until sold by order of the Executors of Mary, Countess of Bradford, London, Sotheby's, 11 March 1987, lot 6 (as William Van de Velde and Studio);
With Richard Green, London;
From whom acquired by the present owner.

Private Collection of the Paintings at Weston Park, 1735, cat. no. 267;
M.S. Robinson, The Paintings of the Van de Veldes, Greenwich 1990, vol. II, pp. 634-35, cat. no. 541 (1) (where listed as "painted substantially by [Willem van de Velde] the Younger").

The colours of the original are very slightly less pink than they appear in the catalogue illustration. The canvas has a recent relining which has somewhat flattened the paint surface. Old abrasion is evident in the darker pigment of the sea along the lower horizontal margin. The details of the boats and the atmosphere of the sky are generally nicely preserved under an even varnish. Fine craquelure is particularly evident in the paint surface in the lighter left-hand side of the sky and old retouching work is evident in these lines. Inspection under UV light confirms this and reveals some scattered minor retouchings elsewhere as well as some strengthening to the lines of the rigging, the edges of the sails and to the right-hand side of the right boat’s hull. Offered in a gilt wood and plaster in good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Robinson categorised this as the best of the four known versions of this composition. It shows the Royal Sovereign, a first-rate ship of one hundred guns built in 1701, reputedly on the keel of her predecessor the Sovereign of the Seas, and later Royal Sovereign herself, which had been burnt by accident in 1696.

The large horse and rider in the centre of the tafferel below the middle stern lantern identifies her as the Royal Sovereign. The vertical stern timbers not continuing upwards from the upper counter through the decorated stern balconies precludes her being the Britannia. The ketch-rigged yacht beyond is most likely the Isabella who left with her in June 1702 for Lisbon. Van de Velde here depicts Prince George of Denmark, consort of Queen Anne, returning to the Isabella after dining on board the Royal Sovereign with the Duke of Ormonde at Spithead, Portsmouth, on 4th June 1702, just prior to their departure to Lisbon. The Union at her main signifies that the commander-in-chief is still on board the Royal Sovereign.

There are two related drawings: one, sold in Vienna, 15 April 1889, lot 957, is very close in composition and includes an extra ship in the left background which the artist has marked with a cross, explaining its omission from the painting. Another drawing, though of square format, was sold London, Sotheby's, 25 March 1920, lot 81. This latter, though with the distinctive features of the stern of the ketch-rigged yacht present also in the painting, does not show the gaff-rigged yacht; it also shows flags on all three masts, rather than, as here, the Union only with the other masts bare.