Lot 1056 Dα

This imposing coastal landscape stands firmly in the tradition of Dutch maritime painting, which rose to high esteem beyond the borders of the Netherlands in the 17th and 18th centuries. The large-format work was created by the maritime painter Aernout Smit, who took part in the naval war against England as a reporter in 1665/66. Smit's training under Ludolf Backhuysen is reflected in his style, which captures the narrative of imperial Dutch colonial and maritime history in painting. This picturesque coastal scene with almost static sailing boats is depicted in atmospheric evening light. The figures on the narrow band of coastline play an active role in the scene or, like the man with his back to us in the left foreground, serve a repoussior function and lead the viewer's gaze further into the depiction.