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The New Bedford Whaling Museum stewards an important collection of Dutch and Flemish marine paintings and prints related to the Dutch whale fishery. The collection includes an early marine scene from the 1590s with Reformation iconography, two iconic paintings of whale strandings on the North Sea coast, and encyclopedic images of classic bay whaling and open sea whaling in the Arctic. Some influential seventeenth and eighteenth century whaling prints were derived from these original paintings and watercolors; the museum holds multiple editions of some of the more iconic prints. Works by distinguished Dutch and Flemish artists, together with vernacular works, related prints, furniture, and ceramic tiles showcase the rich maritime culture of the region, especially during the height of Dutch whaling.
Naomi Slipp, Douglas and Cynthia Crocker Endowed Chair for the Chief Curator (August 2025)