Galleons and Sailboats n.d.

This drawing of galleons and sailboats was made by Willem van de Velde II using pen and ink, likely in the late 17th century. The fine lines and monochrome palette give it a delicate, almost ethereal quality. But don't let that fool you; this image is deeply intertwined with the economic realities of its time. Van de Velde was a specialist in marine painting, and his drawings were often used as templates for larger, more elaborate paintings. The ships themselves were the engines of global trade, and the Dutch Republic was at the forefront of maritime commerce. Each ship represents a significant investment of capital and labor. Think of the shipwrights, sailmakers, and sailors, all working to facilitate the flow of goods. Van de Velde captured not just the vessels themselves, but the material culture of a maritime superpower, skillfully bridging the gap between fine art and the nuts and bolts of global exchange.