Het vliegend vaartuig Volgh My - Hendrik de Leth

A detailed ink and wash drawing by Hendrik de Leth depicting the Dutch passenger boat 'Volgh My' in 1743.

This drawing by Hendrik de Leth depicts the 'Volgh My', a specialised Dutch vessel known as a 'vliegend vaartuig' or flying boat. Despite the name, these were not airborne craft but rather fast, shallow-draft passenger boats used for inland water transport across the Netherlands during the eighteenth century. The term 'vliegend' refers to the speed and efficiency with which these vessels navigated the canal networks, connecting towns and cities with regularity.

The composition focuses on the stern of the vessel, which is decorated with ornate carvings and the name 'Volgh My' (Follow Me) clearly inscribed. The date 1743 is also visible on the transom. De Leth employs a delicate ink and wash technique, using subtle grey tones to suggest the texture of the wooden hull and the atmospheric quality of the water. The surrounding environment includes other smaller sailing craft and a distant shoreline, providing a sense of scale and context to the busy Dutch waterways of the period.

Hendrik de Leth was a cartographer and engraver, and his precision in documenting this vessel reflects his professional background. The drawing serves as a historical record of maritime engineering and daily life in the mid-eighteenth century. The clean lines and restrained palette allow the viewer to focus on the structural details of the boat, from the windows of the passenger cabin to the rudder assembly. This work is a fine example of the documentary style prevalent in Dutch art of the era, where the focus remained on the accurate representation of local industry and infrastructure. The print captures a quiet moment on the water, offering a glimpse into the transport methods that defined the Dutch Republic.