Sailing-boats in a Thunderstorm

Dark clouds pile up over the sunlit sky, dominating more than twothirds of the stormy seascape. Not far from the coastline, where a town is visible, lie Sailing-boats in a Thunderstorm. Seagulls follow the boats, almost disappearing in the mountains of grey, blue and black cloud. Whipped up by the wind, white-foaming waves rage, wildly tossing the boats. Dolphins romp around between the boats, while the crews do their utmost to withstand the forces of nature.
The lateral struts reveal the limited seaworthiness of the two boats in the foreground. Thus the artist was probably depicting an incident in inland or coastal navigation, this type of vessel being designed for shallower waters. The mighty force of the storm can be seen from the middle boat, from the stern of which a taut rope descends into the sea; presumably the drift anchor is an aid to the crew in their attempt to raise the main mast.
A piece of wood drifting in the turbulent sea bears the artist’s monogram, with the year 1647. Is it merely flotsam, or has it broken off a boat in the storm?
The sun’s rays breaking through the dark clouds are typical of the artist’s style. They light up the surging waves in the left foreground and the sailing-ship off the coast of the town. Shadow and sunlight contrast in the dramatic chiaroscuro.
Earth tones determine the monumental scene. Like a ray of hope in the murky sea, a bright sky is emerging behind the blue-grey, pink, lilac and yellow shades of the clouds.

DUCKE Astrid: Peeters Bonaventura I., Sailing-boats in a thunderstorm, in: DUCKE Astrid, HABERSATTER Thomas, OEHRING Erika: Masterworks. Residenzgalerie Salzburg. Salzburg 2015, p. 82