An English third-rate and fourth-rate under easy sail
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An English third-rate and fourth-rate under easy sail
In the left foreground, viewed from close on the starboard bow, is a third-rate before a light breeze under fore course and fore and main topsails. Further away on the right is a fourth-rate seen from more on the beam, carrying her mizzen as well.
The drawing may be on the same paper as the series done on the journey of William and Mary to Holland in 1677. Although the third-rate might be the 'Montagu' as rebuilt, the other ship is too large for the 'Mermaid' which was the only other two-decker in the escort. The drawing is cut at the top and so does not show the third-rate's main topmasthead.
Freely drawn in thick pencil, strengthened on the hulls with sharp pencil work, which is meticulous in its detail, but is faulty in the rendering of the head and tuck of the ship on the right. It is approximately dated by the watermark.
Willem van de Velde the Elder
Original size: 278 mm x 403 mm
- Image reference: PY1856
- National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
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