Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter was a Dutch admiral. His achievements with the Dutch Navy during the Anglo-Dutch Wars earned him the reputation as one of the most skilled naval commanders in history.
De Ruyter in 1667, by Ferdinand Bol (National Maritime Museum – another autograph version is now in the Rijksmuseum)
De Ruyter c. 1654
De Ruyter and the Dutch fleet before Algiers, 1662
Battle council on the Zeven Provinciën, 10 June 1666 by Van de Velde the younger
The Dutch States Navy was the navy of the Dutch Republic from 1588 to 1795. Coming into existence during the Eighty Years' War, the States Navy played a major role in expanding and protecting the Dutch colonial empire, in addition to participating in numerous conflicts with rival European powers. The States Navy consisted of five admiralties, which were respectively based in Amsterdam, Friesland, the Noorderkwartier, Rotterdam and
Zeeland. This organisational structure contributed to the decentralised nature of the States Navy, which heavily relied upon privateers and armed merchantmen in times of war.
Capture of Brielle, 1 April 1572 (Frans Hogenberg).
's Lands Zeemagazijn (English "the arsenal"), former arsenal of the Admiralty of Amsterdam
Michiel de Ruyter by Ferdinand Bol in 1667. He wears his Order of Saint Michael.
Replica of the Sternpiece of the Zeven Provinciën showing the arms of the Union and each of the member States.
