Het einde van de Zeeslag bij Solebay, 7 juni 1672 1673

Willem van de Velde the Elder created this drawing, "The End of the Battle of Solebay, 7 June 1672," using pen in grey, presenting us with a stark vision of naval conflict. The aerial perspective gives structure to the chaos of battle. Consider the dense clusters of ships meticulously rendered with fine lines which create a visual rhythm across the page. The use of grey tones is particularly effective in conveying a sense of distance and depth, as well as the smoky atmosphere of the scene. Notice how the artist uses scale to differentiate the ships, drawing the viewer's eye from the foreground, where vessels are larger and more detailed, to the background. The composition is divided into distinct zones, with the horizon line acting as a clear separator between the sky and the sea, reinforcing a sense of order amidst the turmoil. The billowing smoke serves both as a compositional element and a semiotic device, signifying the violence of the conflict. This drawing exists not just as a historical record, but as a complex interplay of form and meaning.