Formatie van de vloot waarmee Willem III naar Engeland is gevaren, 1688 1688

Bastiaen Stopendael created this print depicting the fleet formation of William III's voyage to England in 1688. The immediate impression is one of rigorous order. Etched lines meticulously arrange numerous ships into a grid-like composition on a horizontal plane. The ships diminish in size toward the horizon, creating a sense of depth. The artwork functions as a visual representation of power, organization, and control. The grid-like structure symbolizes the systematization of naval power, reflecting an era of burgeoning empire. The even distribution of ships suggests a unified front, which projects an image of consolidated authority and military might. The print not only documents a historical event but also embodies an ideology of order and control. Through its careful composition and systematic representation, the print emphasizes the imposing power and calculated nature of William III's enterprise. Its formal qualities underscore the larger political and strategic implications of this historical naval formation.