Half Model of a 68-Gun Ship of the Line c. 1796

This half model of a 68-Gun Ship of the Line is made from wood, and was made by an anonymous artist. Look closely at the way the wooden strips of the hull are constructed; they appear as though the ship has been sliced perfectly in half. But a half model like this wasn't just a demonstration of skill. These models were crucial in the shipbuilding process, serving as a precise guide for constructing the real vessel. The shipwrights would use the model to understand the complex curves and measurements required. Notice the different wood grains and textures, the precision of the cuts, and the care taken in assembling each component. The labor of shaping and joining all these pieces would have been intensive. This model reminds us that before CAD software, the knowledge of skilled hands was essential to making a maritime empire. It blurs the line between technical drawing, sculpture, and craft.