Dutch man-o’-war – Pieter Schenk, 1709

“… Oorloghs-schip met al ‘t Touwerk als meede eeen door gesnede schip van voore, van achteren en Booten Sloepen en Cameele etc. en verdere gereetschappe daar toebehoorende.”   Copper engraving published in Amsterdam by Pieter Schenk the Elder in 1709. Coloured by a later hand. Size (print): approx. 50 x 59 cm.

This elaborate print presents a detailed visual study of a Dutch man-o’-war, including full rigging and cross-sections from the bow and stern. At its center is a 96-gun, three-deck galleon—described as “the perfect ship”—shown in both elevation and vertical longitudinal section.

Surrounding the central images are various maritime tools and ship components, including ship models, a sloop, and a smaller boat. Also depicted are navigational and proportional instruments: a proportional compass, a ship camel (a floating dry dock), a sounding compass, sea compass, equinoctial compass, nocturnal (a night-time timepiece), and a compass rose. The engraving also features the richly decorated sternboard of an admiral’s ship bearing the coat of arms of Amsterdam.

Aimed at naval enthusiasts and professionals alike, this print served both as an educational tool and a celebration of Dutch maritime expertise during the early 18th century.

Price: Euro 1.450,-