Portrait of the 'Fazant', c.1655 (graphite, grey wash)

Creator: Willem van de Velde, the Elder Portrait of the 'Fazant', 40 guns. She was built in 1646, chartered to Denmark 1666-1667, and became obsolete in 1686. She is viewed from the starboard quarter. On the tafferel is a pheasant. Above, the Arms of Amsterdam, supported by two small figures each with a hand on an anchor. There are two shields on the counter: on the port side, a lion rampant, and on the starboard side, crossed anchors, representing the Admiralty of Amsterdam. This is one of three drawings, on the same paper, as one apparently made in 1648-1649 (PAI7253), thought possibly the latter was redrawn some years later from a sketch made on the spot. An earlier date than 1655 would better fit the style of the drawing style, particularly the style of PAH3827, with its large correction in the waterline at the stern, so characteristic of the earliest work; but the dates two of the ships were built seem to preclude this possibility. The work is probably based on an offset, but is not in reverse. It is accurately drawn and is more likely than the other two drawings in this set to have been drawn in 1648-49.