Sextroh jaagt op de Marianne, 1782 1782 - 1784

Hendrik Roosing created this print in 1782, depicting a naval encounter between a Dutch ship and an English privateer. The image creates meaning through its symbolic representation of maritime power and national identity during a period of intense naval conflict, specifically the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War. The Dutch Republic, a relatively small nation, relied heavily on its naval strength for trade and defense against larger European powers. Prints like these served a public role by bolstering national pride and commemorating victories, even those achieved by privateers. Further research into the historical context reveals the critical role of privateering in Dutch naval strategy, as well as the complex economic and political factors driving Anglo-Dutch rivalry. This print becomes more than a simple depiction of a naval chase; it encapsulates the social and institutional dynamics of its time.