Dutch ships running down to attack an enemy RMG PW6674

Dutch ships running down to attack an enemy
In this very rapid drawing which is compositional in character, the two ships in the centre, which are probably Dutch, are firing as they run down towards the enemy on the right. There are three other ships on the left.
It may be reasonable to ask whether this drawing was related to the composition of a proposed painting, or whether it may have been to instruct members of the studio in composition. The arrangement of the ships is not unlike that of his one of van de Velde’s finest late paintings, the battle of the Texel, painted in 1687 (BHC0315). The drawing is unsigned.

Dutch ships running down to attack an enemy