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The Metropolitan Museum of Art

364 works

Wood engraving of children in a rowboat on harbor water, with sailboats and a cloudy sky behind them.

Gloucester Harbor (from "Harper's Weekly," Vol. XVII)

Winslow Homer, September 27, 1873

Pen drawing of sea gods with fish tails battling in rippling water among reeds, one blowing a horn, one wielding a sword.

Battle of the Sea Gods (right portion of frieze)

Andrea Mantegna, before 1481

Etching of a naiad beside an overturned urn pouring water, with a triton and sea figures rising from the waves and putti at l

Water, represented by a naiad seated at the base of a tree and resting her arm on a supine urn from which water flows…

Giulio Carpioni, 1640-60

Engraving of two sea gods with fish tails and four nude nymphs at a stone table under a tree, with doves flying overhead.

Two sea gods accompanied by four nymphs

Giulio Bonasone, 1531-76

Engraving of a reclining mermaid and bearded merman by water, with a walled town and castle on a cliff behind them.

The Sea Monster (Das Meerwunder)

Albrecht Dürer, ca. 1498

Watercolor of a grassy coastal headland overlooking the sea, with a distant island on the horizon at right.

On the North Coast of Devon, Lundy Island in the Distance

Samuel Palmer, ca. 1835

Pen and watercolor drawing of sailing boats and a crowded rowing boat on calm water, with ships and a distant shore.

Ships and Sailors

Thomas Rowlandson, late 18th-early 19th century

Engraving of chariots, horses and soldiers struggling in sea waves, with robed figures on a rocky shore at upper right.

The Crossing of the Red Sea

Orazio Farinati, 1583

Etching of a harbor with classical arch, stone towers, rowboats, sailing ships and figures on the shore under a rising sun.

Harbor Scene with Rising Sun

Claude Lorrain, 1634

Engraving of sea gods, tritons and sea monsters battling in choppy water, with a trident-bearing figure among reeds behind.

The Battle of the Sea Gods (left portion of frieze)

Andrea Mantegna, before 1481

Etched view of Tangier's north coast with fortified walls, a tower on the ridge, ships at sea and walkers on a hill path.

Prospect of ye North side of Tangier regarding the mayne Sea from the hill as you come from Whitby or the West, towar…

Wenceslaus Hollar, 1673

Pen and wash drawing of Boston harbor in 1778 with ships, rowboats, an American flag, and a distant waterfront town.

Boston Harbor

Pierre Ozanne, 1778

Pen and ink drawing of sea gods and tritons battling among reeds and waves, with a nude woman at left.

Battle of the Sea-Gods (right portion of frieze)

Andrea Mantegna, ca. 1485-88

Etched title page with a large ship's stern under a Latin cartouche, flanked by masted ships, cannons, crates and figures on

Title page: Dutch Ships

Wenceslaus Hollar, 1647

Watercolor sketch of a standing coachman in white jacket, red breeches and tall black boots, holding a hat and whip.

A coachman (recto); ships and rowboats (verso)

Robert Dighton, 1790-1814

Watercolor design for two stained glass panels with draped swags, fern foliage, fish, and a mermaid medallion.

Window with marine motifs, design for Fishmongers’ Hall, London

John Dibblee Crace, 1898

Etching of Dutch boyer sailing ships on choppy water under clouds, with flags and detailed rigging.

Boÿers (Dutch Cargo Ship)

Wenceslaus Hollar, 1647

Pen and brown ink drawing of two fragments showing a sea monster with a serpentine neck, wing, and clawed feet.

Sea Monster (in two fragments)

Bernardino Poccetti, 1548-1612

Pen and watercolor drawing of a seaside scene with bathing machine, riders, mermaid, and children playing on sand.

London at the Sea Side

John Leech, 1830-64

Etched view of Tangier's walled north side above the sea, with ships at left and walkers on a hill path in the foreground.

Prospect of ye North side of Tangier regarding the mayne Sea from the hill as you come from Whitby or the West, towar…

Wenceslaus Hollar, by 1673

Etching of a busy Roman riverside harbor with boats, barrels, stone steps, and church and palace buildings under clouds.

The smaller harbor, called the Porto di Ripetta (Veduta del Porto di Ripetta)

Giovanni Battista Piranesi, ca. 1753

Watercolor of a harbor at low tide with beached boats, small figures, cottages and sailboats on the water under clouds.

Harbor scene with the tide out, and beached boats

Thomas Rowlandson, 1775-1827

Etching of several sailing ships battling rough waves under a dark, cloudy sky, with a large vessel at center.

Sea Storms

Wenceslaus Hollar, 1665

Watercolor of a large steamship with tall masts and flags on choppy sea, with other vessels and stormy clouds beyond.

Telegraph Cable Fleet at Sea, 1865

Robert Charles Dudley, 1865-66

Pen and ink drawing of a busy harbor with sailing ships, rowboats, and figures on the quay.

Harbor scene

Thomas Rowlandson, 1775-1827

Group of Sea Nymphs

William Pitts, 1805-40

Etching of the Pola amphitheater in Istria with tiered arches beside the sea, with boats and figures in the foreground.

Plate 23: Amphitheater of Pola in Istria near the sea (Anfiteatro di Pola in Istria vicino al mare), from "Alcune Ved…

Giovanni Battista Piranesi, ca. 1748

Grey wash drawing of sailing ships and a rowing boat with figures on an estuary under a cloudy sky.

Various Ships and a Rowing Boat on an Estuary

Wigerus Vitringa, n.d.

Hand-colored lithograph of a large airship with a paddle wheel flying over a bay with sailing ships and hills.

Prince's Aerial Ship. Star of the East!

Norris's Lithography, 19th century

Grey wash drawing of sailing boats on choppy sea, two figures on shore by wooden posts, ships on horizon.

Choppy Sea with Boats near the Coast

Pieter van Everdingen, n.d.