Ontploffing van het Nederlandse kaperschip De Dappere Patriot in gevecht met het Engelse schip Kameleon, 14 augustus 1781 Possibly 1781 - 1801

Curator: What a dramatic scene! This drawing, attributed to Jacobus Buys, is titled "Ontploffing van het Nederlandse kaperschip De Dappere Patriot in gevecht met het Engelse schip Kameleon, 14 augustus 1781," depicting the explosion of a Dutch privateer during a naval battle. It was made possibly between 1781 and 1801, using ink and pencil. Editor: It’s visually chaotic, isn’t it? The sparseness of the medium really amplifies the violence of the event; those shards radiating outward give it a stark feeling. Almost like we’re viewing the aftermath of a cataclysm, and, in a way, for those on board, it was. Curator: Absolutely. Buys captures the moment of destruction, but he's also commenting on the broader naval conflicts of the era. The Fourth Anglo-Dutch War, during which this particular incident occurred, was largely about control of trade routes. Consider the social ramifications of these skirmishes on everyday citizens in both countries. Editor: Exactly, and it makes me think about how warfare intersects with concepts of national identity. The Dutch ship is quite literally exploding. What kind of messaging does an image like this perpetuate? We might consider the glorification, but also the implicit trauma involved when one’s nation and navy is at war, often conscripting sailors against their will. Curator: The technique used here, primarily ink and pencil, gives it a sense of immediacy, almost like a news sketch done on the spot. I can imagine that quick gestural quality might make it easily reproducible and disseminate information widely. How might it operate in forming public opinions of political adversaries, such as the English? Editor: The rough sketchiness makes it accessible, doesn't it? It's not aiming for hyperrealism; instead, the focus feels more immediate and emotional. The stark contrasts created by the pencil against paper heighten the sense of devastation and make one consider, 'Who is this image really FOR, and who will have to pay the true costs of its story?' Curator: Well said. The Rijksmuseum holding this today provides another lens. The art has gone from popular commentary into a history painting presented in the established halls of culture, shaping public narratives in other ways. Editor: Ultimately, this seemingly simple sketch provokes complex questions about conflict, nationalism, and the role of art in shaping collective memory. It acts as both a historical document and a catalyst for understanding the impact of war.