Four frigates: “zeilen droogende” [with its sails drying], “in storm bijleggende, voor twee kleingereefde bezaanszeilen en voorstenge stagzeil, de bramstengen gestreeken“ [in a storm, with two reefed spankers and staysail, and lowered top gallant masts] “voor onderzeilen bijleggende” [using its lower sails] and “bij de wind zeilende” [sailing close to the wind]. Watercolours by Joseph Sipkes, each signed and dated at the bottom left “J. Sipkes, 1830/1831”. Size each approx. 11,5 x 14 cm (frame: 52,5 x 59 cm). In the Age of Sail frigates of the Dutch navy were meant to be fast, able to navigate in shallow waters and were heavily armed. They were to protect merchant ships at sea, halt enemy privateering, and to fight the enemy fleet and prevent troops from landing. While smaller than a ship-of-the-line, they were formidable opponents for the large numbers of sloops and gunboats. Frigates scouted for the fleet, went on commerce-raiding missions and patrols, and conveyed messages and dignitaries. Little is known about the marine painter Joseph Sipkes (1787-1852) except that he worked in Amsterdam at the beginning of the 19th century. In addition to a number oil paintings, he made beautiful ship portraits in watercolour. Price: Euro 2.250,- (incl. frame)
