Aangespoelde potvis bij Egmond aan Zee, 1764 1764

"Aangespoelde potvis bij Egmond aan Zee" (Beached Sperm Whale at Egmond aan Zee), created by Cornelis van Noorde in 1764, depicts the discovery of a beached sperm whale near Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands. This detailed engraving, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, captures the scene of the whale's carcass on the beach, with people gathered around it. The inscription provides information about the whale's size and its eventual sale, highlighting the curiosity and economic value that such events held in the 18th century. Van Noorde's precise rendering of the whale, the crowd, and the surrounding environment emphasizes the impact of this extraordinary event on the local community.