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I've written another article for my site, this time on period correct food for Anglo-American sailors and pirates from 1680-1740. This is only the first part, there will be a second since the subject is way too big for one article. Hope you all enjoy: http://csphistorical.com/2016/01/24/salt-pork-ships-biscuit-and-burgoo-sea-provisions-for-common-sailors-and-pirates-part-1/

I wrote on my blog about sailors' possessions during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. I cast the post around analyzing one of the most stereotypical depictions of a sea chest, Billy Bone's from Treasure Island. Figured that would draw the attention of people who are more interested in the pirate aspect of that period's history. http://csphistorical.com/2015/07/07/a-sailors-possessions/

I'd like to share some period images I've been recently collecting, which show sailors & assorted other working joes of the GAOP. I'll continue to add to this thread as I find new ones. Let's start with some Canaletto: (b. 1697, Venezia, d. 1768, Venezia) Here is a brief bio on this artist: Zuane Antonio Canal, Venetian painter, the son of Bernardo Canal, a well-known scenery painter at the time. 'Canaletto' — or small canal — as he was soon called, received his training in the studio of his father and his brother, with whom he continued to collaborate for several years. He became the most famous view-painter of the 18th century. The images I'm posting are crops and details from his paintings that date 1720-1735. While most of them are in the coastal canals of Italy, many feature what I'd consider to be fairly common seaman dress, despite the fact that many of the men are gondoliers or ferrymen. Of note to me is how many appear to be wearing sashes. These paintings also show the downright ragged state many commoners dressed in. Ragged yet colorful. Their sails weren't in the best shape either. :) First up, Rio dei Mendicanti (detail) 1723-24 [Note: The original image Joshua linked to is gone, so I have linked to another version which is not cropped. Mission. 7/8/14] Next, Grand Canal, Looking East from the Campo San Vio (detail) 1723-24 This is the first of two paintings from this viewpoint, the next one being after 1730. I really like the mural of the ship draught on the wall. The sailor sitting on the ground with his back to the viewer and wearing red trousers appears to possibly be sporting a headscarf of yellow. He's also got his bag around his shoulder with a blanket strung through it. Looking for work, I suppose. Do you think the mural of the ship is a sign indicating that this was a "Water taxi" area where one would hitch a ride out to the ships at anchor? [Note: Original Image missing, updated to non-cropped image 7/8/14 by Mission] Next, La Punta della Dogana (Custom Point) 1726-28 Once again, sashes seem to be prevalent. I'm thinking maybe gondoliers wore them to indicate they were for hire, or to draw attention? [Note: Original Image missing, updated to non-cropped image 7/8/14 by Mission] Up next we have Return of the Bucentoro to the Molo on Ascension Day (detail) c. 1732 Both shots are cropped from the same painting. Looks like some red knit caps, short jacket and blue slops? Also beards and 'staches! More sashes too. [Note: Original Image missing, updated to non-cropped image 7/8/14 by Mission] So there we have Canaletto! We're fortunate he took the time to render the common workers in his paintings. I've got more artists coming, so stay tuned.