The Dutch Victory over the French and Spanish at Vigo Bay: Fireworks in the Hague, December 13, 1702 1702 - 1726

Jan van Vianen created this print to celebrate the Dutch victory over the French and Spanish at Vigo Bay in 1702. Its monochrome execution is a detailed spectacle of fireworks illuminating the Hague. The composition is densely packed, creating a sense of dynamism and excitement. At the center, an elaborate structure is adorned with classical figures, acting as a stage for the pyrotechnic display. The lines of the fireworks explode outward and upwards, contrasting with the static, sculpted figures below. This deliberate juxtaposition destabilizes the conventional representation of victory. Vianen uses the medium of engraving to create a complex interplay of light and shadow. Notice how the texture of the smoke and sparks gives a sense of depth and movement to the print. The ephemeral nature of fireworks is captured here, transforming a political event into a display of transient beauty, inviting us to reflect on the fleeting nature of triumph and power.