Jan Carel Josephus van Speyk. - Geb. 31 Januari 1802, Overl. 5 Februari 1831 1850 - 1881

Dirk Noothoven van Goor made this print of Jan Carel Josephus van Speyk at an unknown date using an unknown medium. It serves as a visual biography of the Dutch naval hero, Jan van Speyk, who famously blew up his own ship to prevent it from falling into enemy hands during the Belgian Revolution in 1831. The print, titled "Prenten-Magazijn voor de Jeugd" or "Picture Magazine for Youth", is divided into four scenes that capture key moments in Van Speyk's life and heroic death. The narrative format, combined with the medium of print, allowed the story of Van Speyk to be widely disseminated. This helped create a cult of personality around the Dutch naval hero, and promoted nationalist sentiment during a period of national crisis. As an art historian, my role involves not just appreciating the artistry but understanding the social and political contexts that shaped its creation and reception. To understand the print fully, we would need to delve into the history of Dutch nationalism, the Belgian Revolution, and the role of visual culture in shaping public opinion.