“Stop to appreciate this intricate engraving of a ship at rest, distinguished by its meticulous detail and the intriguing, anachronistic arrow pointing to the right.”
A lone ship, its sails neatly furled, dominates this engraving, a stark silhouette against a calm sea. The vessel is meticulously rendered, its rigging and hull lines etched with precision, suggesting a quiet moment before or after a journey. Below the ship, a bold, simple arrow points to the right, a curious, almost anachronistic element that directs the viewer's eye and adds a layer of mystery to the scene. This print, made on cream laid paper, showcases the artist's particular skill in depicting maritime subjects, a common theme in his work. The anonymous artist, known only by the initial 'W' and a key symbol, created images that were popular enough to be copied by other printmakers of the era, highlighting the appeal of these detailed and evocative scenes.
- Artist
- William H. Key
- Medium
- Engraving on cream laid paper
- Location
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Dimensions
- Image/sheet: 17.1 × 12.3 cm (6 3/4 × 4 7/8 in.)
- Collection
- Prints and Drawings
- Culture
- Netherlands
- Credit line
- Stanley Field Fund
What to Notice
Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Observe the intricate details of the ship's rigging and the texture of its hull.
Notice how the furled sails create a distinct, almost sculptural form.
Look closely at the unusual arrow beneath the ship; what do you think it signifies?
See the subtle variations in line work that define the calm water below the vessel.
Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through Ship with Sails Furled and Arrow Pointing to the Right — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
William H. Key
1832–1922 · United StatesWilliam H. Key was an American engraver and medalist, whose work included creating intricate designs for coins and commemorative medals.
Further Works by Key
The Key
Art Institute of Chicago
"The Bath," a dripping spring in Kanab Cañon. Temperature, 69° Fahr, No. 9 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"
1872 · Art Institute of Chicago
Ahem—Those jokes about absent minded professors
Art Institute of Chicago
Jitterbugs II
Art Institute of Chicago
The Jazz Wall
Art Institute of Chicago
"Who knows what Eloise did wrong?"
Art Institute of Chicago
[Group of 266 Stereograph Views of the 1855 and/or 1867 Universal Expositions in Paris, France]
1850 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Bugle in C
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
