Joseph Ignace de Hoey, "Willem van de Velde Sketching a Sea Battle", 1845

Hall №344

The traditions of national painting played a large role in shaping the art culture of Belgium in the 19th century. Artists were working on the transmission of characteristics of the objective world, genre scenes and national history.

In the beginning of the century in Belgium there was a rise of revolutionary sentiment, which led to a flourishing of romanticism in art. In the summer of 1830 the uprising in Brussels resolved the national independence's struggle. Belgium seceded from Netherlands and became an independent state.

The picture by Joseph Ignace de Hoey was an echo of the historical events of the past. It depicts the famous 17th-century marine painter Willem van de Velde, who, in spite of the danger, is making sketches during a sea battle. However, the depth and richness of the plot has given way to a spectacular costumed spectacle and entertaining story.