Zeeslag bij Terheide, 10 augustus 1653 (rechterblad) 1653

Willem van de Velde I created this drawing, *Zeeslag bij Terheide, 10 augustus 1653*, using pen in grey ink and brush in grey wash. The monochromatic palette casts the sea battle in a distant, almost dreamlike, light, despite its violent subject. Note how the composition is structured on a horizontal axis, divided into three bands. The lower section of the water, the middle ground where ships engage, and the upper register with smoke billowing into the sky. This layout creates a sense of depth, drawing the eye into the chaos of naval conflict. Van de Velde’s meticulous details, such as the rigging of the ships and the patterns of smoke, function almost as semiotic codes, conveying information about naval warfare and the spectacle of destruction. The artwork challenges traditional heroic depictions of battle. The symmetry of the image destabilizes any singular interpretation, suggesting instead an engagement with the complexities and ambiguities inherent to war. Consider the formal qualities of the drawing, the balance between detail and broad strokes, and how these elements contribute to a profound reflection on conflict, representation, and the human condition.