Zeeslag bij Malaga, 1704 1755 - 1811

François Jacques Dequevauviller created this print depicting the naval battle of Malaga in 1704. Its dramatic effect comes from the structured arrangement of the ships and smoke. Notice how the composition is divided horizontally into sky, sea, and the ships at war. The upper register with the sky contrasts with the action below, using soft, flowing lines. In the sea, short vertical lines create texture and suggest movement. Below, the ships and explosions form clusters of dense activity, with the smoke rendered in voluminous, chaotic forms that draw our eyes across the scene. The organization of the print invites us to think about how war is represented. The artist structures the chaos into organized groups. This could suggest a symbolic attempt to impose order onto the disorder of naval conflict. It's a study in contrasts—order and disorder, violence and calm—that challenges us to consider the multifaceted nature of war.