A square sail hauled up RMG PW6647, circa 1685

A square sail hauled up 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. This drawing from life shows van de velde’s awareness of the physicality and weight of the hanging sail cloth: with a minimum of chalk marks he also suggests the effects of light on it a square sail hauled up. Date: circa 1685. Dimensions: Mount: 260 mm x 353 mm. Collection: Fine art.