Willem van de Velde the Younger is the best-known artist with works in Het Scheepvaartmuseum; next come Ferdinand Bol, Hendrick Cornelisz. Vroom and Adam Willaerts.
Our catalogue lists 231 works of Het Scheepvaartmuseum by 126 artists; the 25 best known are ranked below, each with the works the museum holds.
The masters of the originals
The 10 masters whose originals hang in Het Scheepvaartmuseum
For each master: where and when they were born, their movement, how many originals the museum keeps in our catalogue, a note from their life, and the originals to see.
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Dutch Golden Age
1. Willem van de Velde the Younger 1633–1707
1633–1707 Born in Leiden, Netherlands Dutch Golden Age 8 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Dutch Golden Age marine painter of precise naval vessels and atmospheric sea and sky scenes, known for his technical accuracy and rigging. He is born into a family of artists, the son of the painter Willem van de Velde the Elder.
Originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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Baroque
2. Ferdinand Bol 1616–1680
1616–1680 Born in Dordrecht, Netherlands Baroque 2 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
However, as Bol matured, he began to refine his technique, moving towards a greater emphasis on clarity, elegance, and refined detail. Bol’s oeuvre is remarkably diverse, encompassing historical subjects, portraits, tronies (character studies), and even some landscape elements. However, it was perhaps in the realm of portraiture that Bol truly excelled.
Originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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3. Hendrick Cornelisz. Vroom 1562–1640
1562–1640 Born in Haarlem, Netherlands 3 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Dutch Golden Age pioneer of marine art, known for realistic seascapes and dramatic naval battles between grand ships on the open ocean. Hendrick Cornelisz Vroom, born around 1563 in Haarlem, Netherlands, occupies a pivotal position in the history of Dutch painting.
Originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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Dutch Golden Age
4. Adam Willaerts 1577–1664
1577–1664 Born in London, United Kingdom Dutch Golden Age 4 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Dutch Golden Age painter of dramatic maritime battles, coastal landscapes, and bustling harbors rendered with meticulous realism. Born amidst the shifting tides of late sixteenth-century London, Adam Willaert carried within him the heritage of Flemish refugees fleeing religious upheaval.
Originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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Dutch Golden Age
5. Abraham Storck 1644–1708
1644–1708 Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands Dutch Golden Age 10 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
While the archival records of his era leave certain biographical details shrouded in the mists of time, his artistic legacy remains anchored by his exceptional ability to capture the pulse of the sea. The foundations of Storck’s mastery were laid in Haarlem, where he underwent rigorous training under the guidance of Hendrick van Balen I and II.
Originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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6. Reinier Nooms 1623–1664
1623–1664 Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands 5 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Unlike many artists who benefited from formal training within established guilds or studios, Nooms’s path to becoming a celebrated painter was unconventional, born not of academic instruction but of direct experience – a rough-and-tumble existence at sea followed by a self-taught dedication to capturing the world he knew so intimately.
Originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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7. Jan Claesz Rietschoof 1652–1719
1652–1719 2 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Jan Claesz Rietschoof, born in the bustling maritime town of Hoorn in 1652, was a painter inextricably linked to the waters that defined his homeland. Rietschoof’s paintings are characterized by a meticulous attention to detail.
Originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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Romanticism
8. Andreas Schelfhout 1787–1870
1787–1870 Born in The Hague, Netherlands Romanticism 2 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Dutch Romantic landscape painter famed for realistic winter scenes of frozen canals and skaters, serving as a precursor to the Hague School. The Hague, Netherlands (1787) Died: 1870 Schelfhout’s winter scenes, particularly those depicting frozen canals with skaters, were immensely popular during his lifetime.
Originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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9. Louis Meijer 1809–1866
1809–1866 Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands 5 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Dutch Romantic painter and etcher of turbulent seascapes and maritime life, known for capturing the energy of the North Sea and coastal storms. Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Louis Meijer emerged as a significant figure in the Dutch art scene during the nineteenth century.
Originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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Luminism
10. Robert Salmon 1775–1845
1775–1845 Born in Whitehaven, United Kingdom Luminism 2 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Salmon was born Robert Salomon to Francis Salomon, a jeweler. Salmon first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1802, marking a significant step in his career.
Originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
The masters, continued
No. 11 to No. 25: more masters of Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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11. Thomas Whitcombe
Neoclassicism
1763–1824 · born in London, United Kingdom · 2 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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12. Antonio Jacobsen
1850–1921 · born in Copenhagen, Denmark · 9 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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13. Johannes Christiaan Schotel
1787–1838 · born in Dordrecht, Netherlands · 2 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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14. Jan van Neck
1634–1714 · born in Naarden, Netherlands · 2 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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15. Isaack Luttichuys
Baroque
1616–1673 · born in London, United Kingdom · 2 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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16. Petrus Johannes Schotel
1808–1865 · born in Dordrecht, Netherlands · 4 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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17. Johannes Hermanus Koekkoek
Romanticism
1778–1851 · born in Veere, Netherlands · 2 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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18. Cornelis Christiaan Dommersen
Romanticism
1842–1928 · born in Utrecht, Netherlands · 4 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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19. Jan van der Linde
1864–1945 · born in Amsterdam, Netherlands · 3 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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20. Gerardus Laurentius Keultjes
1786–1821 · born in Utrecht, Netherlands · 2 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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21. Engel Hoogerheyden
1740–1807 · born in Middelburg, Netherlands · 7 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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22. Dominicus Franciscus du Bois
1800–1840 · born in Bruges, Belgium · 2 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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23. Ludolf Backhuysen II
1717–1782 · born in Amsterdam, Netherlands · 4 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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24. George Lourens Kiers
1838–1916 · born in Amsterdam, Netherlands · 2 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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25. Govert van Emmerik
1808–1882 · born in Dordrecht, Netherlands · 3 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Famous artists in Het Scheepvaartmuseum, No. 26 to 35
Nicolaas Riegen1827–1889 · 2 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Casparus Johannes Morel1798–1861 · 13 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Petrus Paulus Schiedges1813–1876 · 5 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Hendrick Staets1606–1659 · 2 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
David Kleyne1753–1805 · 6 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Hendrik Vettewinkel1809–1878 · 5 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Johannes de Blaauw1712–1776 · 3 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Wilm Steffens1834–1885 · 5 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Richardus Philippus Arnoldus van Rees1850–1925 · 4 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Wijbrand Schaap1766–1821 · 2 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
The house in figures
The masters of Het Scheepvaartmuseum, in figures
The masters with the most originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Masters with two originals or more, by century of birth
Masters with two originals or more, by country of birth
Masters with two originals or more, by movement
Women masters
The women whose originals hang in Het Scheepvaartmuseum
1 women masters, 1 originals, in our catalogue of Het Scheepvaartmuseum.
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Thérèse Schwartze
1851–1918 · born in Amsterdam, Netherlands · 1 originals at Het Scheepvaartmuseum
- Portrait of Albertus Vinke (1910)
Two houses
Het Scheepvaartmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum: whose originals are where
Het Scheepvaartmuseum
- Masters in our catalogue
- 126
- Originals
- 231
- The masters to know
- Willem van de Velde the Younger, Ferdinand Bol, Hendrick Cornelisz. Vroom, Adam Willaerts
- Most originals by
- Casparus Johannes Morel (13), Abraham Storck (10), Antonio Jacobsen (9)
The Van Gogh Museum
- Masters in our catalogue
- 53
- Originals
- 371
- The masters to know
- Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin, Jean-François Millet
- Most originals by
- Vincent van Gogh (281), Émile Bernard (11), Paul Gauguin (7)
Asked of us
Questions on the masters of Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Open a question to read the answer.
Who is the most famous artist in Het Scheepvaartmuseum?
Willem van de Velde the Younger (1633–1707): our catalogue holds 8 works by Willem van de Velde the Younger at Het Scheepvaartmuseum, among them Naval battle between Dutch and French merchant ships, The Towing of the Royal James during the Four Days' Battle and The Burning of the Royal James at the Battle of Solebay. Ferdinand Bol and Hendrick Cornelisz. Vroom follow.
What did Willem van de Velde the Younger paint that hangs in Het Scheepvaartmuseum?
Our catalogue lists 8 works by Willem van de Velde the Younger at Het Scheepvaartmuseum, among them Naval battle between Dutch and French merchant ships (1673), The Towing of the Royal James during the Four Days' Battle (1668), The Burning of the Royal James at the Battle of Solebay (1675) and The English Royal Hunt Catherine under Amsterdam Flag (1677).
How many Ferdinand Bol paintings are in Het Scheepvaartmuseum?
Our catalogue lists 2 works by Ferdinand Bol at Het Scheepvaartmuseum, among them Portrait of Lieutenant Admiral Cornelis Tromp (1629-1691) (1667) and Portrait of Michiel Adriaensz. de Ruyter (1667).
What did Hendrick Cornelisz. Vroom paint that hangs in Het Scheepvaartmuseum?
Our catalogue lists 3 works by Hendrick Cornelisz. Vroom at Het Scheepvaartmuseum, among them The battle at Sluis (1603), Skirmish between Amsterdam and English Warships (1614) and Dutch Pinnace under Sail near a Rocky Coast (1628).
Which famous artists are displayed in Het Scheepvaartmuseum?
By fame: Willem van de Velde the Younger (8), Ferdinand Bol (2), Hendrick Cornelisz. Vroom (3), Adam Willaerts (4), Abraham Storck (10), Reinier Nooms (5), Jan Claesz Rietschoof (2), Andreas Schelfhout (2), Louis Meijer (5) and Robert Salmon (2).
Who has the most paintings in the collection of Het Scheepvaartmuseum?
Casparus Johannes Morel (—), with 13 works in our catalogue of Het Scheepvaartmuseum, ahead of Abraham Storck (10), Antonio Jacobsen (9) and Willem van de Velde the Younger (8).
Are there Leonardo da Vinci works in Het Scheepvaartmuseum?
No: Het Scheepvaartmuseum holds no work by Leonardo da Vinci in our catalogue.
Are there Pablo Picasso works in Het Scheepvaartmuseum?
No: Het Scheepvaartmuseum holds no work by Pablo Picasso in our catalogue.
Are there any women painters in Het Scheepvaartmuseum?
Our catalogue lists 1 women artists with works at Het Scheepvaartmuseum: Thérèse Schwartze (1).
Should I visit Het Scheepvaartmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum for the painters?
For Willem van de Velde the Younger, Ferdinand Bol and Hendrick Cornelisz. Vroom, Het Scheepvaartmuseum; for Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet and Paul Gauguin, the Van Gogh Museum. Our catalogue lists 126 artists at Het Scheepvaartmuseum and 53 at the Van Gogh Museum.
Are the artists in Het Scheepvaartmuseum mostly French, Italian or Dutch?
Counting the artists with two works or more, Het Scheepvaartmuseum holds painters born mostly in Netherlands (27), United Kingdom (4), Denmark (1) and Belgium (1).
Which centuries do the painters of Het Scheepvaartmuseum belong to?
The 18th century leads with 13 artists born then. In this ranking, Hendrick Cornelisz. Vroom (1562–1640) is the earliest born and Jan van der Linde (1864–1945) the latest.
The house
Het Scheepvaartmuseum, Amsterdam, in a few lines
The History of Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Located in Amsterdam, the institution has undergone several transformations in its identity and location. It was formerly known as the National Maritime Museum Amsterdam and has also been referred to as the Nederlands Scheepvaartmuseum Amsterdam. These names reflect its long-standing commitment to preserving the maritime history of the region. The institution moved to its current building in 1973. This relocation brought the collection to its present site at Oosterdok. The museum's presence in Amsterdam is deeply tied to the history of the city's waterways and its role in global maritime trade. The transition to this specific location allowed for a more permanent home for the vast array of nautical artifacts and historical vessels that define the collection.
The Architecture of the Former Naval Storehouse
The building housing the collection is a former naval storehouse, known as's Lands Zeemagazijn or Admiraliteits Magazijn. Constructed in 1656, the structure was designed by Daniël Stalpaert. The foundation rests upon exactly 1,800 wooden piles driven into the bed of the Oosterdok. The architectural layout follows a symmetrical arrangement. Four wings extend from a central courtyard, creating a sense of enclosure. This design reflects the building's original purpose as a functional warehouse for the Admiralty of Amsterdam. The massive brick walls and thick wooden beams remain visible, maintaining the integrity of the 17th-century construction.
The famous originals of Het ScheepvaartmuseumHet Scheepvaartmuseum: the full page, 232 originalsThe museums of Amsterdam
How the masters of the originals are ranked
The masters with two originals or more of Het Scheepvaartmuseum in our catalogue are ranked by fame: the Wikipedia language editions that describe them, the visits to their OriginalUniqueArt.com page and our studio's ranking. Originals are counted in our catalogue — one entry per work, without details, studies or copies — not in the museum's inventory. Every date, birthplace and movement is the catalogue's; the notes are drawn from the master's biography.
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