Circle of Willem van de Velde the Younger

According to Irene Jacobs, curator of the Maritiem Museum, Rotterdam, this pair of naval battle scenes probably represents episodes from either the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665-1667) or the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1672-1674). During these wars between the English (in the Third English War supported by the French) on one side and the Dutch on the other, numerous engagements were fought.

Jacobs has also kindly identified the different flags, although some of these were used in both wars by different squadrons. The Dutch tricolour is easily to distinguish, sometimes in the double variant. In the Second Anglo-Dutch War the English were flying three kinds of flags: the white flag on the ships of the Berkely squadron, the red flag on the Jordan squadron and the blue flag on the Teddiman squadron. During the Third Anglo-Dutch War the English fleet was flying two different flags: a red flag on the Prins Robert (or Rupert) squadron and a blue flag on the Edward Spragg squadron. The French ships under command of D'Estrées were flying the white flag, denoting their constant willingness to surrender or change sides.

Jacobs furthermore states that on the former work the two main ships show reminiscences of historically known ships, the foremost ship with the blue flag, the Royal Prince of Eduard Spragg, and the ship behind to the left, Admiral Tromp's 'Gouden Leeuw'.

On the latter work there are two large Dutch ships which have not yet been identified. The first is a prominent Dutch admirality ship with five lanterns on its stern. Towards the left in the background, another large Dutch ship can be seen with a Dutch lion and two statues of lions on its stern.