Ships driving ashore on the rocks RMG PW7014, circa 1700

Ships driving ashore on the rocks around 1700 van de velde the younger made a large number of rapid drawings such as this, possibly in preparation for paintings of shipwrecks, a subject which had been painted by dutch and flemish artists since the early part of the 17th century but which also became popular in england. On the left a port-bow view of a ship driving broadside on to some rocks in the right foreground. Astern of her another ship is in a similar state and there is a third in the right distance. Despite the drawings small size van de velde has used a variety of media to achieve a particularly dramatic effect. The pen and ink work is particularly freely handled and has a calligraphic quality. The drawing is unsigned. Ships driving ashore on the rocks. Date: circa 1700. Dimensions: Sheet: 155 x 190 mm; Mount: 405 mm x 556 mm. Collection: Fine art.