A Dutch two-decker at anchor

This is an offset from another drawing with the hull only rubbed on the back and the masts and spars added. An offset was a method used by the van de Veldes to transfer the outline of a ship’s hull from an existing drawing onto a new piece of paper. The new piece of paper was placed over the original drawing and rubbed on the back producing a faint drawing which could be worked up with graphite or pen and ink and any additional detail added.

The ship has all her sails furled except the fore topgallant, which a man is furling. The drawing is unsigned.

Object Details

ID: PAF6844
Collection: Fine art
Type: Drawing
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Velde, Willem van de, the Younger
Date made: 1665?
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Sheet: 225 x 201 mm; Mount: 552 mm x 405 mm