Shipping Scene with Man-of-War
1724
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1724
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This picture shows three big ships sailing on a stormy sea. The largest ship in the center has tall masts, lots of ropes, and a flag flying high. Smaller boats with oars are nearby, and the sky looks dark with clouds. The waves are rough, but the ships seem steady. The artist used a printing method called *mezzotint*, which gives the scene a soft, slightly fuzzy look. The colors are mostly muted greens and blacks, making the ships stand out against the water. Next, look up technique: etching to see how artists like this one made detailed prints.
