Zeeslag bij Lowestoft, 1665 1848 - 1855

Petrus Johannes Schotel made this print of the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665. Notice how Schotel has used the printmaking process to capture a moment of intense naval conflict. The engraving would have begun with a prepared metal plate, likely copper or steel, onto which the artist painstakingly etched the design. This highly skilled, labor-intensive process allowed for multiple impressions to be made, disseminating images widely. The dense, intricate lines create a sense of depth and chaos, evoking the smoke, and the turbulent sea. The image shows not just the ships themselves, but also the labor involved in both their construction and operation. Think of the immense resources, both human and material, required to build these vessels and the social and political structures that enabled such displays of power. The print invites us to consider the connections between art, industry, and the narratives of war, blurring the boundaries between fine art and the more workaday world.