Half Model of a 4-Gun Schooner c. 1798

This half model of a 4-Gun Schooner is made with wood, the date and the maker of the artwork are unknown. Look at how the structure of the half model divides the space. The dark wood of the upper hull contrasts sharply with the open grid of the lower section. The texture and materiality of the wood evoke a tactile quality, while the lines, both curved and straight, create a sense of depth. The composition is a study in contrasts: solid versus void, dark versus light. The lines that define the hull curve elegantly, suggesting the potential for movement, while the grid beneath offers a glimpse into its structural skeleton. The piece destabilizes the traditional representation of a ship by exposing its internal framework. The formal qualities of this model—its lines and contrasting textures—invite ongoing interpretation of function and form.