Vergaan van het schip de Unie, 1782 1782

Hendrik van Rossen produced this print in 1782, depicting the wreck of the Dutch warship Unie. The ship capsized in the North Sea on October 19th of that year, under the command of Captain Count van Welderen. Prints like these served as potent visual reminders of the precariousness of maritime power in the Dutch Republic. The loss of a warship wasn't just a military setback; it was a blow to national pride and economic stability. In the 18th century, the Dutch Republic was facing increasing competition from other European powers, and maritime disasters added to a sense of vulnerability. The print creates meaning through the sharp contrast between the imposing warship and the overwhelming power of the sea. Such images fed into a broader cultural discourse about national identity, economic strength, and the challenges of maintaining a global empire. Historical interpretation relies on a variety of sources: archival records, ship manifests, and period newspapers. By examining these, we can better understand not only the event itself, but its resonance within Dutch society at the time.