Zeeslag bij Terheide, 1653 1653

This engraving, made in 1653 by an anonymous artist, depicts the Battle of Terheide fought between the Dutch and the English. The sea battle is rendered with a striking intensity, full of raging smoke and fragmented shipwrecks. It is critical to remember that the 17th century was a period of intense maritime conflict where control over trade routes was critical for national wealth and power. The engraving is a powerful image of the battle itself but also as a statement of Dutch national pride, a response to the trauma and the triumph of war. The Dutch Golden Age was defined by its achievements in art, science, and trade, but these were also enabled by military might and maritime dominance, often at the expense of others. The image allows us to reflect on the human cost of territorial and economic ambition, a theme as relevant today as it was when this print was first made.