JAN KAREL DONATUS VAN BEECQ (DUTCH, 1638-1722)

Three-quarter stern view of the Fourth Rate 'Woolwich' raising sail

Signed 'J. van Beecq 1677' (lower right)

Oil on canvas

39¾ x 34in. (101 x 86.5cm.) in a carved giltwood frame

Despite the fact that Oliver Cromwell had been a strong supporter of the Royal Navy, the newly restored Charles II was even more so and many new Ships-of-War were added to the fleet throughout his reign. Already numerous due to their general utility, amongst the ships ordered were several batches of ubiquitous fourth rates, including six ‘Oxford’ class vessels in the 1670 Programme. In the event, only two were completed, the second of which was Woolwich. Named for the yard from whence she came, she was built under the direction of Master Shipwright Phineas Pett [grandson of his famous namesake] and was measured at 741 tons. Renowned for the richness of her stern carving and overall decoration, she was 138 feet in length with a 37.5 foot beam and a 15 foot draught. Nominally mounting twenty-two 24pdrs. on her lower deck and twenty-two 8pdrs. on her upper deck, her actual number of guns – including stern chasers – was repeatedly altered during her career and almost every source quotes different numbers at different times. Although ordered in September 1672, she was not launched until 26^th August 1675 and was finally commissioned for sea under Captain Sir John Ernle on 9^th April 1677. The following year she was sent out to the Mediterranean where she remained, mostly engaged in convoy duties, until paid off in January 1681. Recommissioned later that same year, she then served in the Channel fleet where, as part of Lord Dartmouth’s fleet loyal to King James II, she captured two ships in William of Orange’s fleet as it made for Brixham and Torbay [where William landed for his attempt to take the English crown] in October 1688. William’s success and subsequent accession as King William III provoked yet another war with Louis XIV and Woolwich played her part in the significant battles of Bantry Bay (May 1689), Beachy Head (June 1690) and Barfleur (May 1692). In June 1693, she was ordered to join Admiral Rooke’s fleet in defence of a valuable Smyrna convoy whilst 1694 saw her cruising off the Orkneys. Battle scarred and eventually laid up after almost twenty years at sea, the decision was taken to rebuild her as her timbers were found to be far too sound to scrap. Returning to the Woolwich yard where she was built, her rebuild was undertaken by Master Shipwright William Lee. Re-launched in January 1702, she was once again employed as a convoy escort working routes to Russia, Newfoundland, Virginia and the Baltic. Stationed off Dunkirk in 1708 to monitor French naval activity, she then served in the Mediterranean in 1711 and the West Indies in 1712. Refitted for the last time at Chatham in 1722, she seems to have remained unemployed thereafter and was finally broken up at Deptford in August 1736.

It is usually extremely difficult to identify any unnamed vessel when its painted image is uninscribed but, in this instance, van Beecq’s meticulous attention to detail has been of crucial importance. As E.H.H. Archibald wrote of this artist in his seminal Dictionary of Sea Painters of Europe and America “…his ships are beautifully crafted; the loving care with which he executed their decorations is reminiscent of the elder van de Velde and has something of Abraham Storck’s style….”. However, even more crucial in the identification process is the fact that Woolwich not only had four lower deck stern ports – a very unusual, if not unique, feature in a 4^th rate of her era – but also the four circular and highly distinctive apertures or ‘holes’ in her stern which, it has been suggested, were additional gunports for use in emergencies. Held in the British Museum’s collections (inv. no. SL,5214.14) is a splendid named drawing dated 1676 (unsigned but very possibly a study for this picture by van Beecq) of Woolwich’s stern which clearly shows all these notable features and thereby collaborates our identification.

Condition Report

Relined. Slight retouching in the sky, sea, sails and margins. Overall very good condition.

We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of this property. 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 Charles Miller Ltd 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.