Simon de Vlieger

The Dutch painter Simon de Vlieger was born in Rotterdam in 1601, according to one source, while another places his birth around the same year; his earliest known works date from 1624. After settling in Delft in 1634 and joining the Guild of Saint Luke, he moved to Amsterdam in 1638. There he worked until 1642 on decorations intended for the reception of Marie de Médicis, Queen of France. He then stayed in Kleef in 1642–1643, where he drew the Rhine, and worked intermittently in Rotterdam between 1642 and 1644, including on the organ shutters of the Church of Saint Laurens; he became a citizen of Amsterdam on 5 January 1643. In 1650, he settled in Weesp.

Known primarily for his seascapes, De Vlieger depicted ships in harbour and at sea, as well as storms and shipwrecks. His work also includes beach scenes, landscapes and genre scenes. In his maritime paintings, his work moves away from a monochromatic manner in favour of a more realistic use of colour; his depictions of rigging and shipbuilding are distinguished by their degree of detail. Around 1630, he made his first beach scene and returned frequently to this type of landscape over the following two decades. From 1650 until the end of his life, his paintings and drawings focused primarily on maritime coastlines and forests. His work extended beyond easel painting: he also designed tapestries and etchings, and made stained-glass windows for the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, as well as organ shutters for the St. Laurenskerk in Rotterdam.

Calming the storm, dated 1637, is held in the art collection of the University of Göttingen. Lempertz lists Ankernde Schiffe vor einem Deich under the name of Simon de Vlieger, an oil painting on a parquetry panel measuring 69 × 107 cm. The auction house’s description refers to a composition in which several sailing ships, including two warships at anchor, face a rural landscape; it characterises this bilateral arrangement as representative of his work. Willem van de Velde the Younger is mentioned among his pupils.

Works recorded at auction

Lempertz · Lot 1074

Zwei Reisende in bewaldeter Landschaft

Kreide in Schwarz und Pinsel in Grau

Auction date : 2025-11-22

Published result : 12600 EUR

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : 6000

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Kornfeld · Lot 2170

Grosse Figurengruppe am Strand, mit Booten, links oben mit Kirche

wash in brush in bister, the sea horizon in brush in ink, on laid paper

Catalogue period : 2024-09-12

Published result : 7000 CHF

Hammer price, excluding fees

Estimate : CHF 4000

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Lempertz · Lot 1251

Zwei Seestücke: Einmaster auf ruhiger See Dreimaster auf ruhiger See

Oil on wood

Original catalogue wording

Zwei Seestücke: Einmaster auf ruhiger See Dreimaster auf ruhiger See
Öl auf Holz

Auction date : 2019-05-18

Published result : 9300 EUR

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : 7000

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Lempertz · Lot 1054

Ships anchored in front of a dike

Oil on wood

Original catalogue wording

Ankernde Schiffe vor einem Deich
Öl auf Holz

Auction date : 2018-05-16

Published result : 89280 EUR

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : 50000

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