Zeeslag voor Duinkerken, 1639 1651 - 1652

Balthasar Florisz. van Berckenrode created this print, “Zeeslag voor Duinkerken, 1639,” which translates to “Naval Battle of Dunkirk, 1639,” around that same year using etching. During the 17th century, the Dutch Republic was rising as a global maritime power, challenging the established dominance of Spain and Portugal. The Dutch victory at Dunkirk was not just a military triumph; it was a powerful symbol of Dutch identity and self-determination. This print is divided into two registers; the top is a map of the coastline, and the bottom depicts the naval battle itself. It is filled with ships engulfed in smoke and in the lower right hand corner, a key identifies prominent ships and locations, offering viewers a way to interpret the scene and understand the magnitude of the event. Ultimately, this print served as a form of nationalistic propaganda, reinforcing the idea of Dutch exceptionalism and their divine right to rule the seas. Yet, beyond the grand narratives of power and conquest, the print is also a testament to human ambition.