Born in 1624 Netherlands, Cappelle followed in the true Netherlandish tradition in that he was a specialist. He specialised in shipping and although his centre of focus would be ships and their activities, what truly fascinated Cappelle was the image of the sky and sea. Their vastness and fluidity,and their portaryal of the world from tranquility and peace to life-threatening storms. Popular paintings are 'A Small Dutch Vessel Before a Light Breeze' and 'A Dutch Yacht Firing a Salute as a Barge Pulls Away'.