VELDE, Peter van den

Flemish painter, born in Antwerp. Here, he established a modest reputation as a marine painter specializing in portrayals of turbulent seas and sea battles. Comparatively little is known about his life and work, although, he became a Master of the Antwerp GuildGLOSSARYAn association of the masters of a particular craft, trade or profession (painters, goldsmiths, surgeons, and so on) set up to protect its members' rights and interests. Such guilds existed in virtually every European city in the 16th century. The guild also monitored standards of work, acted as a court for those who brought their trade into disrepute, and provided assistance to members in need. of St Luke in 1654. From around 1671, he sold paintings regularly through the Forchoudt art dealers and exported a number of works to Vienna.

Debate continues as to Peter van den Velde's relationship to the prominent Dutch van de Velde family of marine artists and, while there is no certainty about his connection to the van de Veldes, he is widely believed to have been a relative. It is believed by some critics that Willem van de Velde the Younger was his father.