Stranden van de kaag van schipper Klaas Ringels bij Texel, 1778 1779

This etching by Mathias de Sallieth depicts the shipwreck of Klaas Ringels’ ship, a kaag (a type of Dutch barge), off the coast of Texel in 1779. The scene is rendered in stark black and white, emphasizing the dramatic nature of the event. The ship, its masts broken and sails torn, is tossed about on turbulent waves. The inscription below details the event, noting the date and the loss of two crew members. This work, now in the Rijksmuseum, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of the sea and the vulnerability of those who sailed upon it.