Zeeslag bij Terheide, 10 augustus 1653 (middenblad) 1653

Willem van de Velde the Elder created this grey-wash drawing of the Battle of Terheide in 1653. At the time, the Dutch Republic was in the midst of the First Anglo-Dutch War, a conflict largely rooted in economic competition. Van de Velde, who would have been in his early forties, had a special permit to document naval battles, often from a small boat, which allowed him to be a direct witness to these events. This drawing is not just a record of a specific battle; it embodies the intense maritime and colonial ambitions of the Dutch Golden Age. It evokes the violence and struggle inherent in the pursuit of global power. The billowing smoke and chaotic arrangement of ships hints at the human cost of these battles, fought over trade routes and naval dominance. Van de Velde’s unique position as both artist and observer offers us a glimpse into a crucial period of Dutch history, marked by both prosperity and conflict.