De Hollandse vloot onder Michiel de Ruyter voor de stad Algiers, 1662 1687

This engraving by Bastiaen Stopendael captures the Dutch fleet before Algiers, a moment laden with symbols of power and negotiation. Here, the ships are not merely vessels, but emblems of Dutch maritime prowess, projecting an image of authority and control across the sea. Consider the ship motif itself, how it has been transformed over time: from ancient Egyptian funerary boats, promising passage to the afterlife, to Viking longships, symbols of exploration and conquest. In Stopendael’s rendering, the ships bear witness to a complex interplay between cultures. The flags of the Dutch fleet fluttering assertively against the backdrop of Algiers can be seen as signals, each carrying messages of dominance and wealth, yet also vulnerability. These symbols tap into a collective memory of conflict and trade, a potent force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level, reminding us that these symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.