Two small Dutch merchant ships drying sails. A near view from before the starboard beam of a small merchant ship with her fore course loosed and her main course half hoisted, the foot of the sail being hitched up to the main stay. Several boats are alongside. On the right is a bow view of a similar vessel close on her port bow.

This is an unusual drawing for the Elder, being on grey paper heightened with white; but the drawing of the vessels and the penwork is quite in the manner of the Elder and unlike the Younger’s work on grey paper. Although drawings like this are rare, there may be others concealed under the names of other artists. It is only very approximately dated by the style.