Reproductie van een wandtapijt over de Spaanse Armada (23-24 juli) Possibly 1739

John Pine created this reproduction of a tapestry about the Spanish Armada, sometime between 1690 and 1756. The tapestry is translated here into a detailed engraving. A formal analysis reveals a composition dominated by horizontal lines: the ships align in rows, with wave marks and bands of portraits reinforcing the linear structure. This emphasis on order and arrangement—despite depicting naval conflict—highlights the English’s strategic approach to warfare. The symmetry of the overall design, in which the English and Spanish fleets are arranged in opposition, implies a conceptual equilibrium. The portraits, likely of key historical figures, are framed by decorative ovals, a classical motif that contrasts with the chaotic subject matter. This contrast suggests an effort to control and monumentalize a pivotal moment in English history. Note the tapestry's border, with its repetitive patterns, acting as a frame that contains and domesticates the chaos of battle. This formal device transforms history into heraldry and art.