Verovering van Gibraltar door een Engels-Nederlandse vloot, 1704 1707 - 1720

This is Pieter Schenk’s engraving of the ‘Conquest of Gibraltar by an English-Dutch fleet, 1704’. The composition unfolds in a series of horizontal registers: from the pale pink inscribed cartouche at the bottom, to the dark blue sea, the town with the rock of Gibraltar, culminating in a cloudy sky. The ships, rendered with dark lines, are counterpointed against the pastel shades of the landscape. The interplay between these pictorial elements creates a sense of depth, drawing the eye from the foreground ships to the distant horizon. Schenk uses line and colour to define space and power. The ships and their billowing sails signify maritime dominance, while the solid, architectural forms of the fortress represent territorial control. The symmetry of the image reinforces this sense of order and command. This engraving serves not only as a historical record but also as a symbolic representation of military might and geopolitical ambition during the early 18th century. The formal structure and visual language contribute to the construction of meaning, inviting us to interpret the artwork within its historical and cultural context.