Zeeslag bij Bergen, 1665 1848 - 1855

Petrus Johannes Schotel created this artwork, "Zeeslag bij Bergen, 1665," using etching. The print plunges us into the heat of a naval battle, dominated by the imposing structure of warships. The composition, which is in black and white, uses line and form to generate a sense of dramatic tension. The textures vary from the smooth water to the rugged mountains in the background. This contrast heightens the emotional impact of the scene. The ships, rendered with meticulous detail, might be interpreted through a semiotic lens. The orderly arrangement and repetition of forms within the ships communicate a visual language of power and control. In contrast, the billowing smoke disrupts this order, introducing an element of chaos, hinting at the destabilization of established hierarchies. The formal qualities of the work function as part of a larger cultural and philosophical discourse about maritime power, conflict, and the representation of historical events.