Johan van Galen verdedigt zich tegen 20 rovers, 1649 1783 - 1799

Jacobus Buys made this drawing of Johan van Galen in the mid-1700s, using pen and brush in brown and gray ink on paper. It’s a quick, vigorous sketch, focusing on the story rather than precise detail. You can see the layered strokes of the brush, building up the tonal range of the composition, from pale washes to darker, concentrated lines. This directness aligns with the subject: a dramatic clash between the Dutch naval hero Johan van Galen and a band of pirates. The artist is less concerned with the conventions of history painting, and more with capturing the raw energy of the conflict. There's no grandeur here, just a messy, dangerous encounter at close quarters. Even the strokes of ink seem to mimic the slashing swords and the chaotic scramble of bodies in the water. This work reminds us that even on paper, the most unassuming materials can be used to convey powerful stories and intense emotion.