Who painted Preparation of the Herring Bark?

Preparation of the Herring Bark was painted by Sieuwert van der Meulen in 1714.

Where can I see Preparation of the Herring Bark?

Preparation of the Herring Bark is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Preparation of the Herring Bark?

Preparation of the Herring Bark is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Preparation of the Herring Bark?

Museum-quality prints of Preparation of the Herring Bark are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Preparation of the Herring Bark

Sieuwert van der Meulen , 1714

Preparation of the Herring Bark is a drawing by the Baroque artist Sieuwert van der Meulen. It dates from 1714 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1975.139
Credit line: Dudley P. Allen Fund

About this work

Overview

“Preparation of the Herring Bark” is a drawing executed in 1714 by Dutch marine artist Sieuwert van der Meulen. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Rendered in a quick, gestural line, it records a bustling harbor scene in which two vessels are poised on the water.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a large, fully rigged ship with towering masts, surrounded by numerous figures engaged in loading and readying the vessel for departure. A smaller boat, occupied by a handful of people, drifts nearby. The drawing captures the moment of logistical preparation essential to the herring trade, emphasizing collective labor over individual narrative.

Technique & Style

Van der Meulen employs light, swift strokes that suggest movement and volume rather than fine detail. The sketchy quality aligns with Baroque tendencies toward dynamism, using energetic lines to convey the bustling activity of a working port. The emphasis on silhouette and gesture reflects the artist’s focus on the overall scene rather than decorative ornamentation.

History & Provenance

Created in the early eighteenth century, the drawing remained in private hands before being acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is currently displayed. Its provenance traces a typical path for Dutch marine studies, moving from collector to institutional holdings, providing scholars a rare example of van der Meulen’s preparatory work.