Ontploffing kanonneerboot van Jan van Speijk 1819 - 1880

"Ontploffing kanonneerboot van Jan van Speijk" is an 1819-1880 lithograph by Johannes Beunis, depicting the explosion of a Dutch gunboat commanded by Lieutenant Jan van Speijk during the Belgian Revolution. This historical event occurred in Antwerp on February 5, 1831, when van Speijk, facing capture by Belgian forces, chose to sacrifice himself and his vessel rather than surrender. The lithograph captures the dramatic moment of the explosion, with debris flying through the air and a cloud of smoke rising from the water. The work is a powerful testament to van Speijk's heroism and the impact of the Belgian Revolution on the Netherlands.