An English Ship in Action with Barbary Vessels by Willem van de Velde the Younger, 1678, oil on canvas.

Throughout the 17th century, Barbary pirates operated along the North African coast. They attacked vessels from any nation trading in the Mediterranean Sea, and raided ports and coastal cities. This painting shows one of the many battles that took place between them and English merchant ships. Though van de Velde the Younger was not at the action, this is one of his most dramatic battle scenes. Unusually flamboyant in style, it is possible that stereotypes of pirates as 'savage' and 'exotic' influenced his approach to the subject.

Every purchase supports the work of Royal Museums Greenwich.