Driedaagse Zeeslag, 1653 1848 - 1855

This is Driedaagse Zeeslag, a drawing made in 1853 by Petrus Johannes Schotel, currently held in the Rijksmuseum. The drawing presents a muted palette of grays and whites, setting a somber tone. The composition is dominated by the complex arrangement of warships, their masts and sails creating a dense network of vertical and diagonal lines. The texture is suggested through the detailed rendering of the ships and the subtle gradations in the sky, giving a sense of depth and atmosphere. The use of line and perspective invites a structural reading. The ships, rendered with meticulous detail, symbolize Dutch maritime power, an important signifier of national identity during this period. Yet the chaos of battle introduces an element of instability, challenging any straightforward glorification of naval conflict. Note how Schotel uses the formal elements to construct not just a picture of a battle, but a meditation on power, conflict, and the representation of history itself. This piece functions as part of a larger discourse on national identity and the complexities of historical representation.