Slag op het Slaak, 1631 1732

This 1732 etching, “Slag op het Slaak, 1631,” by an anonymous artist depicts a naval battle that took place near the island of Slaak, Netherlands, in 1631. The work focuses on the chaos of the battle, with numerous ships and figures in various stages of action. Smoke billows across the scene as a banner in the upper right corner reads “Defaite de la Flotte Espagnole sur le Slaak le 27. Septembre 1631”. The etching is a small work, measuring just 107 mm high and 136 mm wide, and is currently held in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. This work is a significant example of the use of etching to depict historical events.