Dismasted ships in a swell after a storm RMG PV5341, circa 1700

Dismasted ships in a swell after a storm in the centre foreground is a ship lifting to a swell in the aftermath of what appears to have been a severe storm during which the main topmast and mizzen mast were carried away. The moment depicted in this drawing – the return of calm and, with it, relative safety, after a perilous storm – is unusual, falling in between the two extremes of turmoil and tranquillity that more frequently provided the artist’s subjects. Dismasted ships in a swell after a storm. Date: circa 1700. Dimensions: Secondary support: 135 mm x 221 mm; Primary support: 80 mm x 165 mm; Mount: 317 mm x 480 mm. Collection: Fine art.