Gestrande potvis op het strand tussen Scheveningen en Katwijk op 21 januari 1617 1617

This etching by Willem Pietersz. Buytewech, created in 1617, depicts the stranding of a sperm whale on the beach between Scheveningen and Katwijk, a popular subject in Dutch Golden Age art. The artwork depicts a massive whale carcass on the beach with numerous figures examining it and measuring its size, reflecting the era's scientific curiosity. The detailed inscription gives specific measurements of the whale's length and girth, revealing its imposing scale. This captivating scene is part of the Rijksmuseum collection in Amsterdam.