Surat from the land;One of a pair of pictures depicting views of Surat, India, suggesting the healthy maritime trade of a busy Dutch East Indies factory port at the height of its success in the mid 17th century. Dutch merchants had established themselves with monopoly powers in the East Indies and trading stations on the mainland of India and Ceylon. There was considerable hostility between the Dutch and English companies. The artist's attempt to capture the admixture of familiar ships in exotic surroundings is particularly evocative. This painting looks along the shoreline to the town beyond.. Image from National Maritime Museum