Artwork
Two "Steiger Schuiten"
Two "Steiger Schuiten" is an ink print by the Baroque artist Nooms, called Zeeman, Reinier. It dates from 1653 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1653, *Two “Steiger Schuiten”* is an early‑modern print by Dutch marine specialist Reinier Nooms, who signed his works as Zeeman. Executed on laid paper, the image presents a pair of sailing vessels positioned in the foreground, with additional ships and a cloud‑filled sky receding behind them.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on two merchant ships identified as “Steiger Schuiten.” The vessel on the right carries a full‑size sail, while the left‑hand ship displays a smaller sail and a flag, suggesting differing cargo or status. The surrounding fleet and atmospheric backdrop convey the bustling activity of 17th‑century seafaring trade.
Technique & Style
Nooms combined traditional etching with drypoint, allowing him to render fine linear detail alongside the characteristic burr of drypoint lines, which adds a subtle roughness. The careful rendering of rigging, hulls, and cloud formations creates a realistic sense of depth, while the texture of the laid paper contributes to the overall tactile quality.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to a series of refined marine etchings Nooms produced during the 1650s, a period when his work served as a visual reference for fellow artists and shipbuilders. Original impressions are held in several European collections, reflecting the work’s circulation among collectors of maritime art.
Context
Operating in the Dutch Golden Age, Nooms documented the nation’s maritime dominance. His prints align with the Baroque interest in detailed observation and dynamic composition, offering a documentary glimpse into the vessels and harbor scenes that underpinned the Dutch economy.
Artist & collection
Artist
Reinier Nooms (c. 1623 – 1664), also known as Zeeman or Seeman (Dutch for "sailor"), was a Dutch maritime painter known for his highly detailed paintings and etchings of ships. From the 1650s, Nooms started producing…
