Vandevelde, William
VANDEVELDE, WILLIAM (1633-1707), the younger, Dutch painter, a son of William Vandevelde, the elder, also a painter of sea-pieces, was born at Amsterdam in 1633. He was in- structed by his father, and afterwards by Simon de Vlieger, a marine painter of repute at the time, and had achieved great celebrity by his art before he 'came to London. In 1674 he was engaged by Charles II., at a salary of 100, to aid his father in " taking and making draughts of sea-fights," his part of the work being to reproduce in colour the drawings of the elder Vandevelde. He was also patronized by the Duke of York and by various members of the nobility. He died in London on the 6th of April 1707. Most of Vandevelde's finest works represent views off the coast of Holland, with Dutch shipping. His best productions are delicate, spirited and finished in handling, and correct in the drawing of the vessels and their rigging. The numerous figures are tellingly introduced, and the artist is successful in his renderings of sea, whether in calm or storm.
Vandevelde was a most prolific artist: in addition to his paintings, of which Smith catalogues about three hundred and thirty, he executed an immense number of drawings, sketches and studies, which are prized by collectors.
Note - this article incorporates content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, (1910-1911)
