Brandstichting door de Engelsen op West-Terschelling, 1666 1666

Harmen de Mayer’s etching, “Brandstichting door de Engelsen op West-Terschelling, 1666”, depicts the burning of the West Frisian island of Terschelling by English forces during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. This detailed and dramatic scene portrays the devastation of the island, with smoke billowing from the burning houses and ships. The image emphasizes the chaos and destruction of the event, while providing a historical record of a pivotal moment in Dutch-English relations. The etching, which is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection, exemplifies the genre of battle scenes and offers insight into 17th-century Dutch art and history.