1478
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
A Ship Moving Toward the Right is a 1478 by Israhel van Meckenem, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This drawing shows a detailed side view of a large ship cutting through choppy water. The hull is thick and rounded, with rows of small, square windows near the bottom. Masts rise high, holding a mix of sails and rigging lines that crisscross above the deck. Notice the tiny cross at the ship’s stern—it might mark the vessel’s religious or national identity. The waves below are drawn with quick, wavy lines, giving a sense of motion. Look up The Cleveland Museum of Art to see where this drawing is kept.
Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1445 – 10 November 1503), also known as Israhel van Meckenem the Younger, was a German printmaker and goldsmith, perhaps of a Dutch family origin. He was the most prolific engraver of the…
See the richer artist page
