De grote zeeslag bij Duins, 1639 1640 - 1643

Claes Jansz. Visscher created this print, "The Great Naval Battle at Duins, 1639", without a specified date, using etching and engraving techniques. It vividly illustrates a pivotal naval engagement. This image creates meaning through its detailed depiction of ships and combat, referencing the historical event and the maritime power of the Dutch Republic. Made in the Netherlands, it reflects the nation's pride and naval prowess during the Eighty Years' War with Spain. The detailed scenes of battle, portraits of commanders, and cartographic elements serve to legitimize the Dutch victory and assert dominance at sea. To fully understand this print, historians consult a variety of sources, including naval records, diplomatic correspondence, and other contemporary accounts. Such research reveals how art is deeply embedded in social and institutional contexts, reflecting and shaping perceptions of power and identity.