De grote zeeslag bij Duins (plaat 1), 1639 1640 - 1643

Claes Jansz Visscher produced this print of ‘The Great Naval Battle at Duins’ in 1639. This was a period known as the Dutch Golden Age, one in which the Netherlands experienced unprecedented growth in trade, science, and the arts. This print offers more than just a depiction of a naval battle; it reflects the Dutch Republic's burgeoning sense of national identity and maritime power. The detailed rendering of the ships and the strategic arrangement of the fleets served as a form of propaganda, celebrating Dutch naval victories and bolstering national pride. The print also invites us to consider the complex relationship between art and commerce. Prints like this were not just artistic expressions but also commodities, bought and sold in the thriving art market of the Dutch Republic. To understand the full meaning of this work, we need to look to historical accounts, naval records, and the economic data of the time, all of which are available in the archives of institutions such as this very museum.