Schip met twee masten 1675 - 1731

Luca Carlevarijs rendered this drawing, "Ship with Two Masts," using pen and brown ink, likely during the late 17th or early 18th century. Carlevarijs, a Venetian painter and etcher, came of age during a time when Venice was transforming into a popular destination on the Grand Tour. His detailed vedute, or views, catered to wealthy Europeans eager to bring home souvenirs of their travels. However, this drawing is not a formal commission, but seems to be a more informal, personal work. It is in these types of pieces that we can grasp the artist’s understanding of maritime culture and the global economy of the time. The ship, rendered with delicate lines, becomes a vessel for our imagination, evoking the experiences of sailors, merchants, and perhaps even enslaved peoples traversing the seas. Venice, a city built on trade, was also deeply implicated in the darker aspects of maritime history. Carlevarijs’s drawing invites us to consider these complex histories, reflecting on how personal artistic expression and historical narratives intertwine.