Het schip vastgelopen in het ijs, 1596 1598

This anonymous 1598 engraving, titled “Het schip vastgelopen in het ijs” (The Ship Stuck in the Ice), depicts a Dutch ship trapped in the icy waters of the Arctic. The intricate details of the ship’s rigging and the surrounding ice floes, along with the presence of polar bears, create a sense of danger and isolation. This image likely served as an illustration in a travelogue or scientific work about the Dutch exploration of the Arctic, highlighting the perilous nature of these voyages. The engraving's historical significance lies in its contribution to the understanding of early Dutch Arctic expeditions and their encounters with the harsh environment.