Lijst van oorlogsschepen die op 4 en 10 augustus van de vloot gescheiden zijn geraakt, 1652 1652

This is the title page of ‘List of warships that became separated from the fleet on August 4 and 10, 1652’, printed in Amsterdam by Gillis Joosten. A sense of immediacy is evoked by the stark black ink on the off-white paper and the textural density achieved through the use of typography and a small woodcut. The formal composition directs the eye downwards, first capturing our attention with the large, bold text. It then leads to a smaller illustration depicting ships caught in a storm, framed by two towers. The image functions as a visual metaphor for the text above, underscoring the chaos and disarray caused by the severe weather. The sharp, angular lines used to depict the waves and the ships impart a sense of urgency and turmoil. The use of the woodcut technique, with its inherent limitations in detail, reinforces the crude reality of naval life. The overall structure of the title page, with its blend of textual and visual elements, conveys both information and an emotional appeal. As we contemplate the image, we might reflect on how such formal choices shape our understanding of historical events.