View of Batavia 1640 - 1676

Hendrick Jacobsz. Dubbels' "View of Batavia" depicts the Dutch East India Company's (VOC) fortified trading post in Batavia, present-day Jakarta, Indonesia. Painted between 1640 and 1676, the oil-on-canvas work showcases the bustling port, with numerous ships and boats dotting the water, reflecting the company's powerful presence in the region. Dubbels, a prominent 17th-century Dutch painter, skillfully captured the distant view of the city and its surrounding landscape, showcasing the VOC's impressive infrastructure and its strategic importance in the Dutch colonial empire. This maritime scene, highlighting Batavia's role in global trade and Dutch colonial expansion, remains a significant piece in the history of Dutch art.