Vincenzo Coronelli, Dutch Inland Sailing Boats, 1690, Copper Engraving on Paper

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Dutch Inland Sailing Boats, Amsterdam–Haarlem & Delft–Rotterdam, Coronelli 1690 : This copper-engraved plate depicts two distinct Dutch inland sailing vessels, … Read more Dutch Inland Sailing Boats, Amsterdam–Haarlem & Delft–Rotterdam, Coronelli 1690 : This copper-engraved plate depicts two distinct Dutch inland sailing vessels, issued in 1690 as part of Vincenzo Coronelli’s Atlante Veneto, published in Venice at the author’s own expense. The engravings illustrate everyday commercial and passenger boats operating on the waterways connecting Amsterdam, Haarlem, Delft, Rotterdam, Gouda, and The Hague, offering a vivid insight into the dense transport network of the Dutch Republic at its height. The upper image shows a vessel traveling between Amsterdam and Haarlem, while the lower image depicts a boat serving Delft, Rotterdam, Gouda, and The Hague. These routes were essential arteries of trade, communication, and travel, and Coronelli’s representations emphasize the practical design of Dutch boats: shallow hulls, broad beams, and efficient sail plans adapted to rivers, canals, and inland seas. The plate is framed by an elaborate Baroque border characteristic of Coronelli’s atlases, lending the sheet strong decorative appeal. While Coronelli is best known for his monumental globes and world atlases, the Atlante Veneto also included detailed and finely engraved plates devoted to maritime subjects, reflecting Europe’s fascination with navigation and ship design in the late 17th century. Printed on period paper, the engraving survives in fine condition and retains clear impressions of both scenes. Today, plates such as this are valued both as historical documents of Dutch maritime culture and as visually striking decorative works.

Condition report: Copper engraving on paper. Fine condition overall, with light age toning consistent with period paper. No major defects noted. Technique: Copper engraving Maker: Vincenzo Coronelli, Venice, 1690 See less