Battle for the Gold Staff (Dominion of the World) c. 1615 - 1630
adamwillaerts
gouache
incomplete sketchy
painted
possibly oil pastel
oil painting
underpainting
pastel chalk drawing
painting painterly
watercolour illustration
watercolor
Adam Willaerts' "Battle for the Gold Staff (Dominion of the World)" is a maritime painting that depicts a dramatic scene of a naval battle. The painting, created between c. 1615 - 1630, showcases Willaerts' mastery of depicting naval combat and the vastness of the sea. The scene is set on a rocky shore, where a group of figures watch the battle unfold in the distance, their expressions conveying a sense of tension and anticipation. Willaerts' attention to detail is evident in the meticulous depiction of the ships, the churning waves, and the rocky coastline, adding to the realism of the scene. This painting provides an excellent example of Willaerts' expertise in capturing the grandeur and the danger of maritime warfare.
Comments
Two gentlemen vie for control of a gold staff. It symbolizes dominion over the world’s seas. For whoever rules the sea, controls trade, beggars his foes, and becomes rich himself. The man at the right stands for the Netherlands, the one at the left for Spain. The men next to them personifying England and Venice, among other nations, look on in suspense. The scene in the background, the Republic’s naval victory at Gibraltar in 1607, seems to predict who will triumph.
Join the conversation
Join millions of artists and users on Artera today and experience the ultimate creative platform.