De grote zeeslag bij Duins (plaat 2), 1639 1640 - 1643

Claes Jansz. Visscher made this print in 1639, using etching and engraving. The image shows the Battle of the Downs, and it is fascinating to consider the link between the event and its representation. Visscher wasn’t on deck during the naval battle. He was a printmaker, which meant translating world events into reproducible images. He used metal plates and acid, tools of production and commerce. Notice the sharp, precise lines needed to capture the ships, the sea, and the smoke of battle. Consider the labor invested in each impression, as it moved through the networks of distribution. Visscher likely never held a sword in battle. Yet he made a career out of representing such events, playing a critical role in shaping public opinion. Here, art meets industry, transforming war into a commodity, and prompting reflection on the relationship between craftsmanship, technology, and the construction of historical narratives.