Sketch of a Sailboat 1648 - 1707

Willem van de Velde II’s *Sketch of a Sailboat* (1648-1707), currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a delicate pen and ink drawing of a single sailboat. The artist, known for his maritime subjects, captures the vessel’s form with a few precise lines, highlighting its sail and rigging. This small-scale work, measuring only 6 x 7 1/2 inches, exemplifies van de Velde II’s mastery of capturing movement and detail in his depictions of ships.