Portrait of an English fifth-rate, c.1675 (graphite)

Creator: Willem van de Velde, the Younger A rapid but very accurate drawing of a fifth-rate of about 32-guns, heeling in a fresh breeze. The ship is viewed from before the starboard beam, heeling to starboard, with the anchor catted and half submerged, and the positions of the masts lightly indicated. On the broadside she carries three guns abaft the gangway on the gun deck, two or three abaft the main chains on the upper deck and two on the quarterdeck. She also has a quarter gallery instead of the badge usual in fifth rates. This is a pencil drawing by the Younger signed in brown ink 'W.V.VJ.' which is possibly false. It has been approximately dated by the watermark and style. Robinson links this drawing by type and date to a similar study (PAH1849) of the yacht 'Kitchen' seen from off the port side.