Zeeslag met de zes Spaanse galeien van Spinola, 1602 1602 - 1604

This engraving depicts a naval battle from 1602, capturing a conflict that is more than just about ships and warfare. Notice the recurring motif of the ship, here a vessel of war. Since antiquity, the ship has been more than just a means of transport, it is a symbol of transition, a vessel carrying souls across the seas of life and death, much like the barque of the sun god Ra in ancient Egyptian iconography. The chaos of battle, the sinking ships, and the figures struggling in the water evoke profound emotional responses. The image taps into collective memories of maritime disasters and the ever-present human struggle against the forces of nature. Think of the "Deluge" motif, seen across cultures, symbolizing both destruction and purification. Ultimately, this image reminds us that symbols are never static. They are vessels themselves, carrying layers of meaning that evolve with each telling, each viewing, in an endless, cyclical journey through time.