[Yachting] Sheepen en speeljachten / Vaisseaux et Jachts de plaisir chez les Chinois etc.

Engraving of various Asian and West Indian vessels, by Romeyn de Hooghe, one of the greatest Dutch etchers of the late 17th century. The plate was subsequently acquired by Pieter van der Aa, who reprinted it in 1728 (our example), adding title and captions in French to the originals in Dutch, to attract a wider public. He translated “Speeljachten” as “Jachts de plaisir”, that is, pleasure yachts. It represents a “Chinese yacht” and a “Royal Yacht of the Dragon”, together with other Japanese, Siamese and West Indian vessels. The use of the Dutch term “Yacht” to describe pleasure craft evokes its origin. In the 16th century, the Dutch built light and fast vessels, conceived specifically to pursue pirates and smugglers. The wealthy shipowners often displayed these smaller “jaghts” during festive occasions, celebrating the recovery of stolen goods. Over time, the term reached English and other European languages thanks to King Charles II, who spent ten years exiled in Holland and returned to London aboard the “Mary”, an opulent 18-metre luxury yacht.