The Willem Van de Velde Yacht, c. 1650
scratch built ship model, scale: 1:48
Hull: overall 8 ½” long, Tall keel to mast top: 11," Overall height: 16 ½,” Base: 8" x 13"
Hull/Frames/Planking – Dark and Light Applewood, Carvings - Boxwood, Figures – Lilacwood
SOLD
Willem Van de Velde the Elder (1611-1693) and Willem Van de Velde the Younger (1633-1707), are considered the most important and influential Marine Artists of all time – the true founders of the marine art genre. While the father and son began their painting careers in their native Holland in 1672, they emigrated to England at the invitation of King Charles II, who gave them studio space in ‘The Queen’s House’ in Greenwich. From there the Elder made literally thousands of drawings of the ships and battles of the time, the only surviving records of what many of those vessels looked like. The Younger then made beautiful paintings from the drawings which can be found in every major museum in the world.
Somewhere around 1650, while still in Holland together, they made a series of drawings about 30 of which survived, of a small thirty-foot Dutch Yacht that appears to be of their own design. They showed great details of her decorations and placed a crew of five revelers aboard her representing the romantic pleasures of yachting.
Lloyd wanted to bring this two-dimensional model and her crew to life in three dimensions for us to contemplate and enjoy. His lively model is impeccably constructed and a treat to admire!
Concept/ purpose:
Lloyd conceived the idea of taking the drawings for this yacht and making a model at 1:48 scale. The purpose is twofold:
1. To show how such a yacht was constructed, using the many sources we have on the methods of making such a vessel in the mid-17th C. As per my usual style, the port side is completely cut open to show construction and the interior.
2. To demonstrate how this yacht would have been outfitted and used. This involves fitting all interior structure, and equipping this space with all the paraphernalia that would have been needed to throw a proper party. Finally, crew figures and other critters placed on board to add a sense of scale, and show the human activities that make the whole presentation come alive.
Research and Sources:
There are around a dozen drawings the Willem Van de Velde’s made of this yacht, with some sheets having up to seven sketches per sheet. This gives me most of what I need for the actual construction. There is even a drawing showing how she was rigged, along with many paintings by the Willem Van de Velde’s, and other Dutch artists showing similar yachts of this period, and these give much detail, such as how the vessels were finished and painted. The sense of life in these calm scenes is palpable, with numerous characters engaged in yachting activities suitable for the period.
