. English: A Fresh Breeze in the Mediterranean Several ships have been depicted sailing through a squall. In the foreground, to the right, a lateen-rigged Mediterranean vessel forges into the picture plane on a wind blowing abeam from left to right. It appears to be flying an Algerine flag. Surprisingly, in that case, this craft bears a prominent image of Saint Peter on the stern. This may indicate that it was a captured vessel. Figures can be seen leaning over the side. On the left a ship bears the tricolour flag of the Netherlands at the main. While the ship on the right, depicted broadside
. English: A Fresh Breeze in the Mediterranean Several ships have been depicted sailing through a squall. In the foreground, to the right, a lateen-rigged Mediterranean vessel forges into the picture plane on a wind blowing abeam from left to right. It appears to be flying an Algerine flag. Surprisingly, in that case, this craft bears a prominent image of Saint Peter on the stern. This may indicate that it was a captured vessel. Figures can be seen leaning over the side. On the left a ship bears the tricolour flag of the Netherlands at the main. While the ship on the right, depicted broadside, flies a red flag with indistinct markings but possibly an English red ensign from the stern and main. Other shipping, including smaller coastal craft, can be seen in the background. Colossal, blue-toned mountains are shown in the background, on the left, and a walled fortification stands on an outcrop. These mountains are unmistakably Italian and reminiscent of the Ligurian coast. Although the subject of this work cannot be identified precisely. The clouds add dramatic effect to the scene. They are shown sometimes low over the land and are, at other times, absent revealing blue sky. The cloudy sky opens up to allow a dart of light to bear down onto the central ship and the surrounding water, while the sea’s unyielding force is heightened by the acute diagonal slant of the clouds above. The sharply heeling mass of the main vessel similarly enhances the powerfully orthogonal composition of the painting. On the far left the effect is sensationalized by the vivid red and orange of the sky which is viewed through driving rain at the centre of the squall. Even though, this painting depicts the Mediterranean, Mulier makes use of some characteristically Dutch visual motifs. These include the fortress on a rocky headland, on the left, signifying salvation (BHC0822 and BHC0819) as well as the floating spar, in the right foreground, which is a visual conceit synonymous with the work o
Size: 3548px × 1409px
Photo credit: © The Picture Art Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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