Heemskerck's Victory Over the Spanish Fleet at Gibraltar
1634
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1634
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Heemskerck's Victory Over the Spanish Fleet at Gibraltar is a 1634 ink by Willem Basse, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows three big ships in rough water, their sails tangled and smoke rising from cannons. The waves crash around them, and the ships look like they’re in the middle of a battle. One ship is on fire, with dark smoke swirling above it. The artist used sharp lines to show the chaos of the sea and the ships’ struggle. This style was common in the 1600s for showing action and drama. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
