Zeeslag bij Kijkduin, 21 augustus 1673 1674 - 1676

This anonymous engraving depicts the ‘Zeeslag bij Kijkduin, 21 augustus 1673’, or the naval battle at Kijkduin fought on August 21, 1673. Produced shortly after the event, this print provides a bird's eye view of the violent clash between the Dutch and the combined English and French fleets during the Third Anglo-Dutch War. During the 17th century, naval power was inextricably linked to national identity and economic strength. The Dutch Golden Age was largely built on maritime trade, but it was constantly challenged by England and France. This battle, which the Dutch won, was therefore more than a military engagement; it was a defense of Dutch sovereignty, trade routes, and national pride. Consider the power dynamics at play here. The Dutch, a relatively small nation, standing their ground against two major European powers. How might the original viewers have felt looking at this? Is this a factual record, or a carefully curated depiction of Dutch exceptionalism? Look at the detail of the ships, the smoke, and the waves. What does this level of detail suggest about the importance of this event? Ultimately, this print reminds us that the stories we tell about our histories are often tied to larger questions of identity, power, and the struggle for recognition.