Three Sailing Vessels at Choppy Sea c. 1656

Reinier Nooms, also known as Zeeman, was a Dutch artist who specialized in maritime art. This etching, "Three Sailing Vessels at Choppy Sea," is a great example of his work. The piece depicts three sailing vessels at sea in choppy waters, with the billowing sails of the vessels and the churning sea creating a sense of movement and energy. Nooms' detailed depiction of the vessels and the seascape highlights his mastery of etching, which is a technique that involves scratching an image into a metal plate and then printing it. The artwork is a great example of the Dutch Golden Age of marine painting, showcasing the flourishing of Dutch maritime power and influence.