Kaarten van de Spaanse Armada (22 en 24 juli 1588) Possibly 1739

John Pine created these maps of the Spanish Armada in the 18th century. In these detailed depictions of the 1588 naval battles, we see symbols of power and divine intervention intertwined. The ships themselves, arranged in tight formations, represent not just military might but also the organized will of nations clashing. Above the fray, allegorical figures, reminiscent of classical deities, preside over the conflict, suggesting a belief in supernatural forces guiding human affairs. This echoes the ancient Roman concept of "Fortuna," where fate and fortune played a central role in historical events. Consider the depiction of storms and turbulent seas; these elements, present throughout art history, often symbolize chaos, divine retribution, or the overwhelming power of nature. These motifs connect to earlier Renaissance art, where similar tempests signified moral or spiritual struggles. These maps are not mere records, but narratives imbued with symbolic weight.