Sailing ships under the storm

Flemish school in the circle of Bonaventura PEETERS the elder, recognized to having painted some of the finest marine paintings, often dark, representing here two vessels in a dangerous rough sea by a stormy weather.

The danger of a journey by seas as an echo of the vanity of human beings, this is the main and only topic of this incredible painting so intense, so dark. The palette used focused on grey and black colors with just shimmering white touches suggesting the strenght of waves translates that few hope is possible. 

On board we can distinguish the crew but whereas the coast  let on the shade is near, the storm seems too deep to allow a better end than a shipwreck.

A fantastic marine painting from 17th century.

« Sea Coast with a storm » at Fitzwilliam Museum and « Sunlight on a stormy sea », both by Bonaventura Peeters I, at National Maritime Museum of London.