Tekstblad bij de prent van de zeeslag bij Doggersbank, 1781 1781

This informational sheet, created by Johannes Smit & Zoon, elucidates the key players and vessels involved in the Battle of Dogger Bank. Note the Greek key pattern, or meander, that frames this document. In ancient Greece, this motif symbolized infinity and unity. The continuous, winding line represents the eternal flow of life and interconnectedness. Yet, this very symbol, born from the cradle of democracy, would be appropriated by the Roman Empire. A similar pattern resurfaces on Roman friezes, losing some of its initial democratic associations, it would be seen as a symbol of order and imperial power. Observe how the meander has reappeared in this 18th-century Dutch naval context, adorning a document about a fierce battle. It speaks to the enduring human quest for order amidst chaos, a subconscious desire to impose structure onto the unpredictable tides of war.