Dutch Merchant Ships at Anchor or under Easy Sail in a Moderate Breeze 1655 - 1661

This drawing by Willem van de Velde I, a prominent Dutch marine painter of the 17th century, depicts a group of Dutch merchant ships at anchor or under sail. Created between 1655 and 1661, the piece highlights the artist's expertise in capturing the intricate details of ships and the sea. The work showcases van de Velde I's signature meticulous style, with delicate lines and subtle shading used to represent the ships' sails, masts, and hulls, and the rippling water below. The drawing, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, is a testament to the artist's enduring legacy as a master of maritime art.