De twee zeeslagen op Schoonevelt, 1673 1673

Romeyn de Hooghe's etching from 1673 depicts two naval battles at Schoonevelt. Mythological figures flank a scene of war, recalling the classical device of imbuing contemporary events with timeless significance. Poseidon, god of the seas, looms large. Note how his presence isn't merely decorative; it taps into humanity’s primal relationship with the ocean—a source of both life and death, a chaotic force that mirrors the unpredictable nature of war itself. We find Poseidon's trident echoed in other naval battles throughout history, from ancient Roman mosaics to Renaissance tapestries, each iteration carrying the weight of maritime power and the sublime terror of the sea. The emotional resonance of these symbols lies in their ability to evoke collective memories and anxieties, speaking to subconscious fears and aspirations tied to the dominion over the seas. The image serves as a potent reminder of how symbols persist and evolve, weaving through the fabric of cultural expression.