Driemaster c. 1825 - 1875

This drawing of a three-masted ship, or 'Driemaster', was made by Petrus Johannes Schotel, a Dutch artist who lived from 1808 to 1865. Shipping was an important aspect of Dutch life. The 19th Century saw the Netherlands engaged in extensive trade. We can consider this image as an example of the artistic conventions of maritime art during this period, but also as a symbol of Dutch commercial power. Schotel was the son of Johannes Christiaan Schotel, who was also a marine painter, so we can consider the institutional context of artistic dynasties. The image gives meaning through its detailed representation of the ship's rigging and structure. Its cultural references lie in the long history of Dutch maritime painting. To understand the drawing better, we might research Dutch maritime history, the history of the Schotel family, and museum collections of similar drawings. By considering the social and institutional contexts, we can better understand this drawing as a historical document.