Schip met vlakke zeilen 1738 - 1811

Nicolas Marie Ozanne made this etching of a flat-bottomed boat with sails sometime in the 18th century. The vessel appears to be propelled by both sail and manpower, the figures on board seem to be rowing. In 18th-century France, naval power was closely linked to the monarchy, and images of ships like this one played a role in shaping public perceptions of royal authority. Ozanne was appointed marine engineer to Louis XV in 1751. The French Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture played a key role in establishing aesthetic standards, and the marine draftsmen who worked for the French Navy were trained to depict the sea and naval scenes in particular ways. By studying Ozanne's training and the institutional and political context in which he worked, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social role of art in 18th-century France. We can consult archives, period documents, and theoretical texts, to better understand the culture in which Ozanne’s images circulated.