Vierdaagse Zeeslag, 1666 1666

This engraving depicts the Four Days’ Battle of 1666, a naval conflict fought between the English and Dutch during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. Created by an anonymous artist, the print captures a moment of intense national pride and maritime power for the Dutch Republic. The image is teeming with ships engulfed in battle, cannons firing, and sailors caught in the chaos of war. The figures of Dutch admirals Michiel de Ruyter and Cornelis Tromp are featured in portrait. The list of numbered key points identifies where ships were sunk, exploded, or captured. This adds an almost documentary element to the otherwise heroic depiction. In the 17th century, naval power was not just about military might, it was deeply intertwined with national identity, economic prosperity, and geopolitical influence. This print embodies the intersection of these themes, reflecting both the glory and the grim reality of maritime warfare.