This is a ship portrait, viewed from the starboard bow, showing her bowsprit and lower masts. Her figurehead is broken off and there are several boats under her quarter.

This is one of three ship portraits (PAG6178, PAG6179) executed during the Northern Expedition to Sweden in 1658. All three have probably been based on offsets but PAH9372 and PAG6178 have been carefully worked up with pencil and wash.

The inscriptions on the drawing suggest that it was made in 1658 and not in 1653. Since the drawing appears to have been executed from life, we must assume that the ‘Brederode’ lost her figurehead in rough weather on her way to the Sound, and that she was drawn shortly before the battle between 29 October and 8 November, when she was sunk.