Two ships in heavy seas
a fine drawing in grey and brown, though it has probably lost an originally much bluer tone from exposure to light, of a ship running under her fore-course before a moderate gale. Apparently she is letting her topsails fly preparatory to taking them in, although there is a total and eerie absence of figures to do so. Another ship is in the distance, to the left. The hull of the main vessel has, also, only been loosely blocked-in making it impossible to be sure whether it is a warship or a merchantman, though the general impression suggests the former. This makes the drawing one of striking atmospheric effect in the dutch 17th-century manner rather than a detailed realistic portrayal. Pocock was certainly an admirer of the dutch tradition; the museum has two drawings by the 17th century seaman and artist reinier nooms (called zeeman), which pocock appears to have owned, as well as drawings by him that were clearly influenced by the van de veldes (e. G. Pad8836 and paf0019). Exhibited: nmm pocock exhib. (1975) no. 71. Unknown date Dimensions: Mount: 194 mm x 288 mm. Collection: Fine art.
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