Calm Water

Calm Water belongs to the mature phase of Simon de Vlieger's career, when the Amsterdam marine painter had fully mastered the tonal approach that would define Dutch seascape art for a generation. By 1652 de Vlieger had moved beyond the crowded, storm-tossed compositions fashionable in the 1630s and settled into a quieter pictorial language dominated by still reflections and diffused grey-silver light. The Dutch Republic at this moment was a global maritime power, and paintings of serene coastal waters served as emblems of prosperous trade and mercantile confidence. De Vlieger's ability to suggest vast atmospheric space with minimal compositional incident made him one of the most admired marine specialists of his day. Jan van de Cappelle and Willem van de Velde the Younger both studied his work closely, and his influence on the tonal marine tradition proved decisive for the rest of the seventeenth century.

De Vlieger renders motionless water through extremely subtle tonal gradations, layering thin glazes to achieve the mirror-like surface. The horizon is placed low, giving sky and reflection equal pictorial weight. Cool silvery tonality is achieved through careful grey underlayers.