The Dutch Raid on the Medway, 1667 1685 - 1687

Bastiaen Stopendael created this print titled "The Dutch Raid on the Medway, 1667". The composition is dominated by a panoramic view, sharply divided into three horizontal sections, sky, land, and text. The sky, filled with billowing clouds of smoke, conveys a sense of chaos. Below, the land is meticulously detailed with armies and topographical features that establish a complex visual pattern. Note how Stopendael structures the composition using linear perspective, to convey depth and distance. The eye is drawn from the foreground towards the horizon line, where the scene of conflict unfolds. The formal arrangement encourages a reading of the print as both a historical record and a symbolic representation of conflict and power. The structure emphasizes not just the event, but also the broader implications of military engagement and territorial control. Stopendael’s composition invites viewers to consider the interplay between representation, history, and ideology.