Lot 1257 Rα

Abraham de Verwer painted marine battle scenes, city and harbour views throughout the entire first half of the 17th century. He was probably born in Haarlem and primarily active in Amsterdam. He must have been a very multi-facetted personality, having first worked as a cabinet maker before becoming a marine painter and engineer - creating an apparatus to deter pirates among other inventions. He is recorded as having purchased a house in Prinsengracht in Amsterdam, which attests to his wealth. De Verwer's works attracted many important patrons, including the admiralty of the United Provinces, the Dutch East India Company and Frederick Hendrick of Orange. The present harbour scene includes a depiction of the calling of Saint Peter in its centre.