Zeeslag bij Terheide (linkerblad), 1653 1640 - 1653

Salomon Savery etched this print in 1653, immortalizing the naval battle of Terheide. Here, ships clash amidst billowing smoke, their flags serving as potent symbols of national identity and aspiration. These banners, more than mere emblems, are rallying points, echoing the Roman standards that once led legions to conquest. Consider how, like ancient totems, they stir primal instincts of belonging and rivalry. Flags have always been central to the representation of conflict, from the Crusades to the Napoleonic wars. They embody the collective will of nations, often overshadowing the individuals who fight beneath them. These symbols stir a deep-seated, almost subconscious response, urging the viewer to partake in the drama unfolding before them. Such imagery persists, evolving through time, yet retaining its elemental power to evoke both pride and dread.