Bakhuizen, Ludolf

Bakhuizen, Ludolf (b Emden, 28 Dec. 1631; d Amsterdam, 6/7 Nov. 1708).
Dutch painter, mainly of marine subjects. He was born in Germany and settled in Amsterdam in about 1650, working initially as a merchant's clerk. He taught calligraphy for a time and put his penmanship to use in drawings of shipping. Later he was taught painting by Allart van Everdingen. After the van de Veldes moved to England in 1672/3, he became the most successful marine painter in Holland, his clients including distinguished collectors from other countries, notably Peter the Great of Russia, who visited his studio. He captured the drama and movement of ships, but seldom achieved the poetic effects of either van de Velde the Younger or Jan van de Cappelle. His grandson Ludolf Bakhuizen the Younger (1717–82) imitated his work.