Gerrit Groenewegen was the 18th century’s most important artist involved in drawing ships. He was born in Rotterdam and, like his father, began his career as a ship’s carpenter. However, the young Groenewegen lost part of his right leg in an accident and could no longer pursue his trade. Ships and views of harbours, in which he gained his greatest renown with his etchings. His accurate representation of the various types of ship is partly due to his practical experience as a ship’s carpenter. The famous marine painter J.C. Schotel used Groenewegen’s etchings as examples in his early studies. Groenewegen has left a large oeuvre of work behind in which he illustrates all the types of vessel of his period. Thanks to his etchings it is possible to describe in detail the navies of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.