Zeeslag bij Kijkduin, 21 augustus 1673 1673

This engraving, of unknown authorship, captures the naval Battle of Kijkduin fought in 1673. Dominating the scene, we see warships engulfed in the chaos of battle, cannons firing, and sails billowing amidst a tempest of smoke and water. Consider the ship—a recurring symbol throughout history. Initially a vessel for trade and exploration, it evolved into a war machine, embodying power and dominance. The ship is more than mere transport. From ancient Egypt to the Vikings, the ship served as a funerary vessel, ferrying souls to the afterlife. We can see ships depicted similarly across Mesopotamian pottery and Greek amphorae. In our collective memory, the ship may trigger deep-seated anxieties related to venturing into the unknown and confronting the overwhelming forces of nature. The chaos of the naval battle depicted here speaks to a powerful subconscious struggle, mirroring the tumultuous depths of the human psyche. This engraving speaks to the cyclical progression of symbols.