Spotprent op Jacques Colaert, kapercommandant van Duinkerken, 1636 1636

This is Salomon Savery’s 1636 engraving, "Spotprent op Jacques Colaert, kapercommandant van Duinkerken," which translates to "satirical print of Jacques Colaert, privateer commander of Dunkirk." Prints like this, which were made and distributed in multiples, played a crucial role in shaping public opinion. The print depicts Colaert, a figure of power, as a bound man, suggesting a fall from grace. His imprisonment limits his ability to continue plundering ships. Colaert's flamboyant attire, including his large ruff and ornamented shoes, contrasts sharply with the chains around his ankles, highlighting the performative nature of power and the consequences of its abuse. The sea battle in the background is not just a scene of conflict; it's a stage upon which identities, power and economic interests clash. The "Flemish lobster" at his feet is a derogatory reference to Colaert's Flemish origins, underscoring issues of nationalism and xenophobia. The print is a commentary on the human costs of maritime conflict, but also on the shifting sands of power and identity in 17th-century Europe.