The Battle of Livorno (Leghorn) c. 1659 - 1699

Willem van de Velde the Elder depicted The Battle of Livorno with pen in grey on panel. Notice the ships engulfed in smoke and the flags fluttering above them, symbols of power and dominion amidst chaos. These flags remind me of ancient Roman standards, the Aquila, symbols of imperial might carried into battle. Here, they represent the Dutch and their struggle for maritime supremacy. The smoke, a motif of destruction, has appeared in art since the eruptions of Vesuvius. Consider its echo in depictions of hellfire throughout the Middle Ages. Smoke has always represented chaos, obscurity and our deepest fears. It suggests what is hidden and what is destructive, tapping into a primal unease. This artwork is more than a historical record. It captures the eternal dance between order and chaos, victory and destruction, engaging us on a deeply visceral level. The wheel turns.