Model of an 84-Gun Ship of the Line (starboard side) 1837 - 1842

This extraordinary model of an 84-Gun Ship of the Line was made by M. van Sprinkhuizen using wood and metal. Look closely, and you will see that this isn’t just a static display piece. By meticulously exposing the ship’s internal structure, the maker invites us to consider the immense labor required to build such a vessel. The frame becomes a kind of drawing in space, revealing the skeletal form, the complex infrastructure of support that would have been concealed in the completed ship. The choice of materials, primarily wood, speaks to a long history of shipbuilding and the skilled craftsmanship involved. The weight of the model, over 70 kilograms, gives an idea of the density and scale of the real thing. This model blurs the boundaries between art, craft, and industry, prompting us to think about naval power, trade, and the human endeavor that made it all possible.