Marineschepen op hoge golven 1745 - 1794

This etching by British artist Richard Houston (1721-1775), titled "A Hard Gale," depicts several ships navigating rough seas, likely during a storm. The central vessel, its mast broken, struggles against the wind, while the smaller vessels in the background seem to be weathering the gale. This depiction of a maritime disaster, created between 1745 and 1794, is a prime example of the maritime genre and a reminder of the perils of seafaring. The print, now part of the Rijksmuseum collection, highlights the dramatic interplay of nature and human endeavor.