Afdruk van de penning op het overlijden van Jacob van Heemskerck, 1607 1607 - 1782

This print, made in 1607 by an anonymous artist, commemorates the death of Jacob van Heemskerck. Executed in ink, the artwork embodies a circular composition, meticulously detailed with representations of naval battles and cartographic elements. Notice the central portrait of Heemskerck which anchors the medallion, around it, scenes of maritime conflict evoke dynamism. This evokes a sense of national pride and heroism, carefully structured through the arrangement of symbolic components. Semiotically, the ships stand as signs of Dutch maritime power. These images were designed to circulate, shaping public perception of Dutch naval achievements. Consider how the formal elements serve a dual purpose, aesthetic and propagandistic, using composition to create a narrative of victory and remembrance. The act of memorializing through printed imagery served to solidify cultural values of valor and sacrifice within a broader social context.