Fort Zeelandia before 1859

Hendrik Huygens’s *Fort Zeelandia* is a maritime scene depicting a fort on the shore, with a ship in the foreground. The ship is a three-masted sailing vessel, likely a brigantine, and a small boat with several oarsmen is shown in the water. The scene is likely set in the Dutch East Indies, where Fort Zeelandia was a key trading post during the 17th and 18th centuries. Huygens was a renowned marine painter, and this painting exemplifies his meticulous attention to detail and his mastery of depicting the textures of the sea and sky. The painting showcases the artist's ability to capture the movement and dynamism of the sea, alongside the strength and stability of the fort.