Drawings and Watercolors

The Seaport Museum’s collection of drawings and watercolors include depictions of New York City’s waterfront and landmarks, renowned vessels, and marine subjects from around the world. Items include a wide range of works on paper, from preparatory studies and sketches, to finished works produced for New York City businesses and maritime publications, as well as unique compositions made by sailors documenting their experiences at sea. These works of art, spanning from the 18th to the 20th century, are often rare and praised for their aesthetic appeal.

Due to the fragile nature of these works on paper, individual drawings and watercolors are only exhibited for short periods of time. The collection includes notable artists like Gordon Grant (1875–1962), Keith Miller (b. 1949), and Naima Rauam (b. 1946), who continues to paint scenes of the South Street Seaport and Fulton Fish Market today.