Aanval door drie ijsberen op de sloepen, 1597 1598

This black and white print, dating from 1597, depicts an attack by three polar bears on sloops, its artist remaining anonymous. The engraving uses stark contrasts to capture a scene of Arctic peril. The composition is divided horizontally, with the foreground dominated by the dynamic struggle between bears and humans. Sharp, angular lines define the icy terrain, creating a sense of instability. In the background, tiny boats and distant bears suggest the vast, unforgiving landscape. The artist employs hatching and cross-hatching to render volume and texture, conveying a sense of urgency and chaos. This print is more than a record; it is a symbolic representation of the human struggle against the raw, indifferent forces of nature. The careful arrangement of forms invites us to reflect on the limits of human power and the precariousness of existence.