Gevechten bij Rufisque en Portudal 1644 - 1646

This anonymous work presents battles at Rufisque and Portudal, rendered with fine lines on what appears to be paper. The composition is divided into distinct scenes, framed by ornate cartouches and heraldic symbols. Note the contrast between the chaotic energy of the sea battles, with ships scattered and figures in small boats, and the formalized arrangement of text and emblems. The linear precision and compartmentalized structure create a sense of order, yet the action within each scene suggests disruption. The placement of text boxes amid the pictorial elements serves as an early form of visual rhetoric. The artist employs semiotic markers to convey narratives of conflict and colonial encounter. Consider how the formal elements of this print function as a visual language, encoding historical events within a framework of symbolic representation and structured design. This is not just an image of battles, but a carefully constructed account.