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Naval Battle in the Straits of Messina

Frans Huys

1561

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance History Painting

Dominant colour

Naval Battle in the Straits of Messina is a 1561 ink by Frans Huys, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Frans Huys
When & what style?: 1561 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a chaotic naval battle at sea. Ships with tall masts and billowing sails clash near a rocky coastline. The water is packed with vessels, some sinking or on fire, while others ram into each other. The shore has a small town and steep cliffs in the background. The artist used fine lines and shading to create depth, making the scene feel dramatic. The title tells us this is the Straits of Messina, a narrow waterway between Italy and Sicily. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this one carved detailed images into metal plates.