# The Departure of a Dignitary from Middelburg

- By: Adriaen Pietersz van de Venne (Delft, ca. –1662)
- Date: 1615
- Medium: panel, oil paint (paint)
- Classification: painting
- Dimensions: support: height 63.2 cm x width 131.6 cm
- Credit line: D. Franken Bequest, Le Vésinet
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/SK-A-1775--7a359367eeea69edc30870c2507b71f8)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://iiif.micr.io/qGZVJ/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Little Ones profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

All of Middelburg has turned out to watch the warship De Zeehondt is being towed out of the harbour, towards the sea, with the help of four sturdy draught horses. Someone of distinction is leaving here, because even Stadholder Maurice’s yacht takes part: it is firing a gun salute. The presence of an African child on the middle ship is notable.