Slag bij Kijkduin waarbij Admiraal Michiel Adriaansz. de Ruyter de Franse en Engelse vloot verhindert om naar Den Helder te varen op 21 augustus 1673 1741 - 1803

Cornelis Brouwer created this engraving of The Battle of Kijkduin, which took place on August 21, 1673. It is an attempt to capture the moment when Admiral Michiel Adriaansz de Ruyter prevented the French and English fleets from sailing to Den Helder. Created well after the battle, this work reflects the cultural and political currents of the late 18th century. Brouwer wasn't present at the battle. The image develops a narrative around Dutch national pride and naval power. The composition emphasizes the scale of the naval engagement. Battles at sea have often been understood through a gendered lens, with ships and nations personified as feminine entities, and the struggle for dominance framed as a masculine endeavor. Brouwer’s image invites us to consider the human cost of maritime conflict. While the print celebrates a Dutch victory, it also acknowledges the lives affected by war. It captures a specific historical event while resonating with broader themes of national identity, power, and human experience.