A topsail loosed on the cap RMG PW7022, circa 1700

A topsail loosed on the cap van de velde made a large number of drawings of parts of ships including their sails and rigging. These provided the information he needed for his oil paintings. A cap is the wooden block at the top of the mast through which the mast above is drawn when being stepped or lowered when being struck. In this drawing a topsail loosed on the cap and blowing out above a furled course is viewed from abaft the mast. The drawing is unsigned. A topsail loosed on the cap. Date: circa 1700. Dimensions: Sheet: 130 x 200 mm. Collection: Fine art.