The Launch of a Ship

c. 1652/1654

Reinier Nooms, called Zeeman

Associated Names
Reinier Nooms, called Zeeman

Artist, Dutch, 1623 or 1624 - 1664

Cornelis Danckerts I

Publisher, Dutch, c.1601 - 1656

The image shows a shipyard with a large ship under construction. The scene includes rooftops, masts, clouds, water, and people working in and around the ship. The style is an engraving with fine details and a monochromatic color palette of gray tones. Figures are seen observing or discussing in the foreground, and the sky has billowing clouds.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching with drypoint on laid paper mounted on paper

  • Credit Line

    The J. and H. Weldon Foundation Inc. and Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund

  • Dimensions

    image: 12.38 × 25.08 cm (4 7/8 × 9 7/8 in.)
    sheet: 13.65 × 25.08 cm (5 3/8 × 9 7/8 in.)
    mount: 22.23 × 31.27 cm (8 3/4 × 12 5/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2016.89.24

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hollstein, nos. 52, ii/iii

  • Series Title

    Verscheÿde Schepen en Gesichten van Amstelredam (Various Ships and Views of Amsterdam): Part II: plate 12

Associated Artworks

See all 12 artworks
The image features a bustling harbor scene depicted through an engraving technique. The horizon divides the water and a row of buildings and ships with tall masts. The dock is filled with small figures, likely people, and boats. A tower on the left adds vertical emphasis to the urban landscape. The detailed linework depicts trees, architecture, and water. The overall monochromatic color palette highlights the contrast between elements. Boats' masts form patterns against a sky with wispy clouds.

The Montalbans Tower in Amsterdam

Reinier Nooms, called Zeeman, Cornelis Danckerts I

1647

Verscheÿde Schepen en Gesichten van Amstelredam (Various Ships and Views of Amsterdam): Part II

Reinier Nooms, called Zeeman, Cornelis Danckerts I

1647

The image depicts a maritime scene viewed from a side angle. It is an etching showing two large sailing ships with sails unfurled navigating choppy waters. The horizon is low in the composition, with a line separating the sea from the sky. Additional smaller ships are visible in the distance. The etching style features detailed linework capturing textures of the sails, sea, and sky. The color palette is monochromatic, using shades of black and white, emphasizing patterns and textures in the scene.

The "Parel" (Pearl), an East Indiaman and the "Dubbele Arent" (Spread Eagle), a West Indiaman

Reinier Nooms, called Zeeman, Cornelis Danckerts I

1647

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Rob Kattenburg, Bergen); purchased by NGA, 2017.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1949

  • Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger: no. 52, ii/iii

Inscriptions

lower center in plate: Het Afloopen Van een Schip, / b 12

Wikidata ID

Q77259998

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