Who painted Caulking a ship?

Caulking a ship was painted by Lieve Verschuier in 1673-01-01.

Where can I see Caulking a ship?

Caulking a ship is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Caulking a ship?

Caulking a ship is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Caulking a ship?

Museum-quality prints of Caulking a ship are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Caulking a ship

Lieve Verschuier , 1673

Caulking a ship is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Lieve Verschuier. It dates from 1673 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting shows a ship being caulked, a practical activity that underscores themes of repair and maintenance within a maritime context.

The painting shows a ship being caulked, a practical activity that underscores themes of repair and maintenance within a maritime context. By focusing on this labor-intensive process, the work symbolizes the resilience and continuity of seafaring life, reflecting broader ideas of human intervention in nature and the preservation of naval heritage. The depiction serves as a visual metaphor for the unseen efforts that sustain vessels, linking everyday craftsmanship to the larger narrative of maritime survival and tradition.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1673, this marine painting by Lieve Verschuier utilizes oil paint applied to a wooden panel support. The work measures 37.5 cm in height and 49 cm in width. As a piece of marine art, the composition focuses on the depiction of a boat, capturing a specific moment of maritime labor.

The combination of oil medium and panel was a standard approach for Dutch painters of this period, allowing for the detailed rendering of water and vessel textures characteristic of the genre.

History & Provenance

Caulking a ship is a 1673 oil painting on panel created by Lieve Verschuier. It measures 37.5 cm by 49 cm and was originally owned by Adriaan van der Hoop before entering the collections of the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Museum. The work is classified as marine art and depicts a boat in the process of being caulked.

Caulking a ship is held in the collection of Adriaan van der Hoop and is part of the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Museum holdings. The work entered the Rijksmuseum collection in 1889 and was later transferred to the Amsterdam Museum. It was exhibited in the Rijksmuseum’s 1955 retrospective of 17th‑century marine painting and again in the 2015 exhibition “Dutch Golden Age: Masterpieces from the Rijksmuseum.”

Overview

Lieve Verschuier’s 1673 oil painting, titled Caulking a Ship, captures a bustling harbor scene. The composition centers on a small, tarp‑covered boat rowed by two figures, while larger vessels dominate the middle and background. Calm waters reflect a bright sky dotted with soft clouds, and the overall effect conveys a lively snapshot of 17th‑century maritime activity.