Battle between the Dutch and Swedish Fleets, in the Sound, 8 November 1658 1665

Willem van de Velde the Elder created this ink-wash drawing of a naval battle in 1658. Here, the monochromatic wash creates a scene dominated by the structural forms of ships amidst the chaos of battle. Look at how Van de Velde uses line and form to create depth and drama. The detailed rendering of rigging and the hulls contrasts sharply with the diluted washes of smoke and spray, thus capturing the energy of naval conflict. The composition is divided horizontally, with ships rendered in meticulous detail, and the sea represented through energetic, gestural strokes. The graphic quality of the drawing, with its clear delineation of forms, emphasizes the underlying geometry of the ships. Notice how the use of light and shadow adds volume to the vessels, while the monochromatic palette underscores the stark reality of naval warfare. Through formal means, this drawing challenges fixed meanings of maritime power and violence, using signs and cultural codes to reinterpret the perception of battle.