ARTWORKS

A Small Vessel in Light Airs, and Another Ashore

Jan van de Cappelle (1626–1679)

The National Gallery, London

A Small Vessel in Light Airs, and Another Ashore

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Buy a print or image licence

You can purchase this reproduction

If you have any products in your basket we recommend that you complete your purchase from Art UK before you leave our site to avoid losing your purchases.

Order a print

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

In this scene of day-to-day life on the muddy shores of the North Sea, Jan van de Cappelle has depicted a virtually windless day. We see a smalschip (a traditional transport vessel), its helmsman doing his best to catch what wind he can by setting the sails out on both sides. But they hang almost limp and the boat makes only the faintest of wakes in the glassy water. A rowing boat carrying two passengers seems to be about to intercept it – perhaps they are being taken out to a bigger vessel anchored in deeper water.

Meanwhile the crewman on the beached boat (a kaag) seems to be pouring something into a basket held up by his colleague. It looks as though they have been fishing for shellfish and are landing their catch. It’s an image of calm and plenty, but there’s also a reminder of the destructive power of the sea: the timbers of a wreck protrude from the mud.

The National Gallery, London

London

Read more on The National Gallery, London
Title

A Small Vessel in Light Airs, and Another Ashore

Date

probably 1650-60

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 34.8 x W 48.1 cm

Accession number

NG865

Acquisition method

Bought, 1871

Work type

Painting

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Learn more Tag this
Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue

Artist or maker

Jan van de Cappelle

1626–1679

View profile
  • Boats in Shallow Water
    Boats in Shallow Water English Heritage, Kenwood
  • Boats on Ruffled Water
    Boats on Ruffled Water The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
  • Seascape with Fishermen on a Beach
    Seascape with Fishermen on a Beach Government Art Collection
  • Winter Scene with Thatched Cottages and a Frozen River Spanned by a Wooden Bridge
    Winter Scene with Thatched Cottages and a Frozen River Spanned by a Wooden Bridge Manchester Art Gallery
  • Shipping Anchored in a Calm Sea
    Shipping Anchored in a Calm Sea Manchester Art Gallery
  • Two Vessels by the Shore at Daybreak
    Two Vessels by the Shore at Daybreak National Maritime Museum
  • Winter Landscape
    Winter Landscape Guildhall Art Gallery
  • 18 more

Topics