Venetian Polacre by Cristiano - FINISHED - XVIII century

[cog]

Cristiano,

 

Patrick and me just can't keep quiet ... Take it easy these next few weeks!

[mtaylor]

Cristiano,

 

Count me as a "loyal supporter" but not saying much.   I'm watching this beautiful build move along and really have nothing to contribute exceopt.. "wow!".

[JesseLee]

Just ran across this log. I LOVE IT! I love the shape of the hull & your work is spectacular!

[Cristiano]

Thank you everybody for the smart and "silent" support!

Thank you JesseLee!

 

In these days I am very busy with work and the progress on the model is proceeding very slowly (well, just like observing a glacier movement!! )

I almost completed the standing rigging of the mizzen mast.

After many afterthoughts, I finally decided to don't use the deadeyes for the mizzen top-mast shrouds.

After checking contemporary models, paintings, drawings I decided that they were not used on these small ships, in that position of the mast and in that part of the Mediterranean basin. I used instead the heart type ones.

Since I added the mizzen top-mast stay, now I can add the blocks to it, too.

I finally decided to not add the rope ladder that almost reach the top of the main mast.

The presence of the ladder will add more mess in an already messy deck...

In addition, it must be considered that I am too lazy to make it, too...

Edited May 20, 2015 by Cristiano

[cog]

Cristiano,

 

Good choice, gives your model something extra ... a bit of diversity ... looks very nice ... What's that rear most deadeye for, the unused one ... ?

[Cristiano]

The last one deadeye will  be used for the "mizzen-top-mast backstay" (If the term is correct).

its role is showed in the image, too.

Since this one doesn't interfere with the sails installation, I have no hurry to prepare it.

[cog]

Thanks Cristiano, haven't seen that before ... on the other hand what have I seen at all of rigging ...

[Cristiano]

I decided to fight against my laziness and I modified the Venetian flag.

Now is more similar to the one that should have got this polacre.

Now the cross is stright and big, as it should be, and I added the sea.

Some explanation is needed, since the venetian flags were filled of symbols, that varied during the centuries.

in the first photo there is the modified flag, that "theoretically" will be added to the model (until new modifications are made!).

the second is an original flag, of the first years of 1700, present at the Venice Naval Museum.

The difference is the presence of a coat of arms instead of the open book.

But it should be considered a variation from the "rather" standardised one.

the third photo is a section of the painting of the "Sacra Famiglia" ship, where is clearly visible this type of flag (see old posts).

the fourth photo is an original flag of a Venetian flagship, dated between 1660-1675 (Which is of the type more famous).

the fifth is the Venetian Lion made by Carpaccio in 1516.

the last two photos are just to explain better the meaning of sea in the flag:

The lion has two legs on the sea and two legs on the land, to symbolize that its power is extended both on sea and land.

[Fam]

Hi Cristiano

is your Polacre a merchant or a military vessel? Because I remember from my last visit to Venice that on military ship flags the S.Marco lion helds a sword in its fore right paw. Maybe this is not your case, just a warning

Ciao

Fam

[Cristiano]

Hello Fam,

I appreciate your attention to this detail of the flag.

Yes, I know of the existence of a version of the lion bringing the sword, but as for I know it was used only by the land troops.

I was fascinated by the possibility to use the lion with sword, but definetly, after checking many paintings, books and drawings, I abandoned this idea, since there was no evidences at all of its use for the military ships.

The lion holding the sword instead of the book was also a symbol of the justice administration, so it is found in many buildings which were part of the Venetian Republic.

Since the battle of Lepanto che Venetian fleet used a flag with the lion bringing a cross (defender of Christianity!), and so remained until the conquest by the Napoleon troops.

The only deviation was the flag of the flagships, which was made like in the previous post (a more famous way to represent the venice flag).

If you have the occasion to go to Venice again, you can go to the Museo Correr, which has a lot of paintings of naval battles, many contemporary.

In one way is boring, but you can see all the flags used by the ships!

Below you can find some photos to give some consistence to what I said:

 

first photo (taken from Alinari archives): the flag used by the Venetian fleet at the battle of Lepanto, from Museo Correr.

second photo: A detail of one of the ships of one of the paintings from the Museo Correr.

third photo: a detail of one drawing taken from the collection of Biblioteca di Padova;

fourth photo: a detail of a painting from the Atlas made in 1785 by Gian Maria Maffioletti.

fifth photo: a flag used by land troops, with the above mentioned sword raised (but book open!), from Museo Navale di Venezia.

six photo: one of the many sculptures present in Italian buildings with lion with sword raised (and book closed!)

If you are interested, I can suggest some sources of informations (not easy, all sparse informations to be collected)

in anycase try the books written by Guido Ercole, edited by Gruppo Modellistico Trentino, which have a lot of interesting informations about this argument!

[cog]

Cristiano,

 

I presume those books are in Italian ... I can manage in English, French, German, and Dutch so that will pose a problem

[Cristiano]

Hello Carl,

I am deeply sorry, I am sure that they will never be translated in English, since belong to a niche field of interest...

This author made very interesting books, with a good mix of text and photo/drawings, but the text part represent no less than 60% of each book, so cannot be ignored.

 

by the way, why you stopped just to four languages???

[cog]

I didn't, but my Brazilian Portuguese is bad ... and reading it ... nah, not an option s jet, my Japanese doesn't carry much weight either

[Fam]

You have done lot of interesting researches, have to admit that symbology laying beind any part of these flags is very complex!

Chapeau for the interesting lesson of italian history, it's always interesting to learn something new

Ciao

Fam

Edited May 25, 2015 by Fam

[Cristiano]

Another update...

I am proceeding with the two yards of the mizzen mast and the related single square sail.

As can be seen, a lot of ropes are yet to be installed, so everything is rather loose.

I attached all the cannon shots holders (one every two cannons, since I am lazy and I don't want to make 16 of them ), as can be seen in another photo.

Ah yes, I finally released the "Venetian flag 3.0", which will be the final and definitive one! :D

I don't want to put the hands anymore on this flag, because it was a very tormented decision and tormented research...

[Omega1234]

Beautiful crisp, clean and precise rigging, Cristiano! I also have to say, just how nice the sails are. They're beautifully made and they have a certain air of realism about them

 

Nicely done!

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

Edited May 27, 2015 by Omega1234

[cog]

Nice work Cristiano. Looks ready for rigging to me! Clever move on the shot holders, when you make to many they will be a hazzard for walking anyway

 

Missed versions 1.0 through 3.0 ...

[Cristiano]

For Carl:

Missed versions 1.0 through 3.0 ...

 

Those were all the versions of the flag that I made before the final one...are all showed in the posts.

 

 

Another update:

 

I finally installed the mizzen mast lateen sail and its related boom.

Now, as can be seen, the model start to have its definitive "appearance".

The two lateen sails are not "aligned", but it is normal, since are not "tied" to their mast in the same way (it is not a xebec).

 

I am proceeding with the rigging, and apparently it seems everything a bit loose.

It is normal since I have not yet placed the ropes that keep tight the sails.

 

I completed the filling of the belaying pin rail of the mizzen mast (other photo).

 

A lot of rigging is still to be placed, in addition of a lot of rope bundles (tons of ropes! everywhere! )

I am not satisfied by the stern boom since is too short (other photo).

But I have no solution, since the model "must" be placed in a niche inside a wall that has a maximum width of 90 cm.

that means a maximum lenght of the model of max 88 cm.

I know that is a silly problem and a silly limitation, but that is the space available and I must consider it...

Maybe one day I will become rich and I will buy a villa and I will have more space for this model and I will.....rebuild this boom! :D (dreaming is free)

[cog]

Looks great Cristiano.

 

About the flags ... missed the version info   Ah well we can't all be perfect ...

[Cristiano]

Another update.

Another "milestone" reached: I completed all the rigging that is related to the main mast base, so I completed that zone with the two bilge pumps. All the belaying pin rails of the main mast are now complete.

three photos "celebrate" this milestone!

In another photo can be seen the other belaying pin rails which I am slowly filling and a partial view of the rigging that I made in these days (I know that many rigging photos seems hydentical, but are not).

 

I added a small window in the cabin front wall, because it can be logically possible that existed at least a small window (the cannons inside that cabin needs some source of light), even without sound evidences.

Edited June 7, 2015 by Cristiano

[cog]

Well done Cristiano. It seems you tackle this difficult part of the model with ease!

[Omega1234]

Hi Cristiano

 

What a brilliant milestone to reach. Everything is so beautifully and neatly done, that it represents a major achievement that you must be really chuffed about.

 

Well done and congratulations.

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

Edited June 8, 2015 by Omega1234

[JesseLee]

The rope coils on the belaying pins are very neatly done, looks very good!

[Cristiano]

Thank you to everybody for your smart comments!

Thank you Jesselee, but is rather easy to make such coils if you use a "mask" like the one I showed in one old post.

 

I can feel that the end is near...

well, the end of the model building!

I think that in less than two weeks I should finish...if the wind blow in the right direction...

 

Only two chapters remain to be closed:

-The remaining rigging of the mizzen mast, done at 70%.

-The flags, done at 10%.

The flags are kept for last (the last seal on the chapters).

a tiny update:

After few months, now the paint small is definetly disappeared from the model pedestal, so I taken it out from the home basement.

In the meanwhile I prepared the plate for the pedestal, which be glued on the horizontal bars (other photo).

I prefered to make it by wood and painting the words, since it give to the overall model a more "warm" appearance.

In another photo, it can be seen how it was when I made it some months ago.

 

[cog]

Very nice Cristiano. I'm curious as how she will show off on her stand ...

[Cristiano]

Very nice Cristiano. I'm curious as how she will show off on her stand ...

 

You can see it now Carl!

 

:cheers: :cheers:

 

Done! Finished! I finished the model finally!

 

:cheers: :cheers:

 

The flags were the final touch.

I re-painted them with acrylic paint in order to let be "less shiny".

Now it will take some time to pack all the tools and accessories used during this year...

I made a bit more photo than usual, just to show better the final appearance of the model.

The last photo shows its final positioning in the wall niche.

 

 

[Landrotten Highlander]

Congratulations,

I have been quietly following your log, and have been truly inspired by it.  Maybe one day I will attempt something similar.

Peter

[JesseLee]

Very nice!

[cog]

Well done my friend, you have created something wonderfull ... something to be really proud of ... congratulations!!!

[mtaylor]

Beautiful model, Cristiano.   Looks fantastic and you have put in wonderful setting.  

 

I'd like to suggest you go back to page one and edit the first post.. the title and add "Completed" so that all may know the good news.