Ship Designs by Peter Bruegel published as engravings by Hieronymus Cock, 1565.
A cumbersome square-rigged ship with a high bow and stern, the Galleon was adaptable both for commerce and for naval warfare. Spain used them to transport goods from the Americas. These ships were so huge that most harbors could not accommodate them; passengers and cargo had to be ferried in smaller craft. Despite their tremendous size and massive artillery, their service in the Spanish Armada brought defeat by storm and by the smaller, swifter, more maneuverable English ships in 1588.

Open edition offset reproductions. Black ink only.