The Birkdale, Showing the Saloon with Captain and Mate by Herbert Barnard John Everett, 1920. Repro ID: BHC3235. ©National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, LondonThe paintings in the west side of the Queen's House (sections 8-13 in this series) are no longer on display.

The National Maritime Museum holds the largest collection of marine art in the world. It was originally collected to illustrate the rise of British seapower from the Spanish Armada through the period of colonial expansion in the 18th and 19th centuries. Coverage of the 20th century focuses particularly on war artists.

The collections are particularly rich in the Dutch and English schools. These show how marine art in England developed from the example set by 17th century Dutch artists in celebrating the ships, battles and people that make up a 'maritime nation'.

This broadly chronological display brings together examples of those Dutch pictures alongside portraits and marine paintings by British artists. It ends with innovative works by British artists who, 60 years ago, responded to the invitation to paint the events and individuals of the Second World War.

Follow the links on the right to view the highlights from each section of the exhibition.