Verovering van de Zilvervloot in de Baai van Matanzas door admiraal Piet Heyn, 1628 1651 - 1652

This engraving pictures the ‘Conquest of the Silver Fleet in the Bay of Matanzas by Admiral Piet Heyn, 1628’ and is held at the Rijksmuseum. As an engraving, the stark contrast between the black lines and the white of the paper is visually striking. This monochrome palette forces us to focus on the forms and composition. The artist, though unknown, masterfully uses line and perspective to create a sense of depth, drawing our eye from the foreground filled with ships towards the distant shore. The engraving employs a complex interplay of lines and textures to depict the sea, ships, and landscape. Each element is rendered with meticulous detail, giving a sense of almost mathematical precision. The scene is organized to convey a clear hierarchy, with the ships in the foreground commanding immediate attention. This structured composition serves not only to depict a historical event but also to assert a certain order and control over the narrative, reinforcing the thematic elements of conquest and power.