Zeeslag bij Solebay, 1672 1865 - 1870

Christiaan Lodewijk van Kesteren created this print, Zeeslag bij Solebay, 1672, at an unknown date. It captures a naval battle that took place during the Third Anglo-Dutch War. Van Kesteren was working at a time of increasing Dutch nationalism, a period in which the Netherlands was defining and solidifying its identity as a major naval power. The print illustrates not just a historical event, but also the cultural and political pride associated with maritime strength. It is interesting to note how war is often represented through the male gaze, glorifying battle and dominance while often overshadowing the experiences of those who suffer most. The print invites us to reflect on how national narratives are constructed and the impact of these constructions on collective memory. It asks us to consider whose stories are told and whose are left out.