Zeeslag bij Doggersbank, 1781 1781 - 1783

Jan Fokke’s etching depicts the naval battle at Dogger Bank in 1781, showcasing a clash between Dutch and English warships amidst billowing smoke and turbulent waves. The flags atop the masts are more than mere national symbols; they are embodiments of collective identity and sovereignty, echoing the standards of ancient Rome or the banners of medieval knights. These emblems resurface time and again, each time charged with the weight of history and cultural memory. Smoke is a motif we see repeatedly in art history symbolizing conflict, obscuring clarity, and evoking a sense of chaos and uncertainty. Think of the volcanic eruptions in Romantic paintings, or the battle scenes of antiquity. Each era uses it to convey intense emotion and psychological turmoil. Such images tap into our primal understanding of conflict, a powerful force that transcends time. It is a recurring motif, a testament to the enduring nature of human conflict and its representation through art.