Naves Bellicæ Hollandicæ (Dutch Warships) 1647

Wenceslaus Hollar made this print of Dutch Warships, sometime in the mid-seventeenth century. Here we see warships rendered with striking clarity using the technique of etching. The ships are powerful, imposing, and also intricately ornamented. They speak to the cultural and economic importance of maritime power during the Dutch Golden Age. This was a time of great wealth and expansion for the Netherlands, when they controlled major trade routes. The Dutch East India Company was a major economic force. The navy was essential both for protecting trade and for projecting power. Hollar, who was born in Prague, spent time in various European centers including Amsterdam, before eventually settling in England. To understand this print better, we can turn to historical sources about Dutch maritime history and the role of the navy in shaping the nation’s identity. We might also look at the patronage and distribution of prints like these, and ask how they contributed to a sense of national pride, and the celebration of Dutch power.