Gestrande walvis bij Berckhey, 1598 1600 - 1649

This anonymous engraving from the Rijksmuseum depicts the stranding of a whale near Berckhey in 1598. The print, likely created sometime between 1600 and 1649, captures the scene of the beached whale, surrounded by curious onlookers and individuals measuring its size. The artwork’s focus on a natural phenomenon demonstrates the fascination with the natural world during this period. This detailed engraving, with its realistic depiction of the whale and the surrounding figures, highlights the growing interest in scientific observation and exploration in 17th-century Europe.