Aanval op het eiland Annobón, 1602 1644 - 1646

This anonymous etching depicts a naval battle between Dutch ships and the Portuguese fort on the island of Annobón in 1602. It provides a visual documentation of the Dutch West India Company's involvement in the Atlantic trade, with the attack on Annobón seen as a key moment in their early struggle against Portuguese domination. The detailed depiction of ships, fortifications and figures, and the use of hatching and cross-hatching to create depth and contrast, are characteristic of early 17th century printmaking. This work provides a valuable insight into the turbulent world of colonial warfare and trade in the early modern period.