Who painted Shipyard?

Shipyard was painted by Jacobus Buys in 1761.

Where can I see Shipyard?

Shipyard is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Shipyard?

Shipyard is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Shipyard

Jacobus Buys , 1761

Shipyard is a chalk print by the Romanticist artist Jacobus Buys. It dates from 1761 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Cornelis Ploos van Amstel’s print titled Shipyard, dated 1761, depicts a modest maritime work scene rendered in monochrome. The composition balances foreground activity with a tranquil background, offering a snapshot of daily labor in a 18th‑century shipbuilding environment.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a wooden dock structure, a small vessel, and a stack of timber logs in the foreground, while trees and a few figures—one standing on the shore—populate the distance. The arrangement suggests routine industriousness, emphasizing the quiet, orderly rhythm of shipyard work rather than dramatic narrative.

Technique & Style

Ploos van Amstel employed a chalk manner combined with etched hatching, producing fine, linear textures that translate into a printed image on laid paper. The black ink application highlights contrasts between light and shadow, while the etched lines convey the material qualities of wood, water, and foliage with restrained detail.

History & Provenance

Created in 1761, the print belongs to the artist’s broader output of topographical and genre works. It survives as an example of Dutch printmaking practices of the mid‑18th century, though specific ownership records prior to modern collection are not documented.