Battle at Sea between Hollanders and Pirates
Before us lies a vast expanse of water. Sturdy frigates are depicted against the horizon, bearing down in rhythmic succession. Billowing clouds of smoke rise up, accompanied by an earsplitting thunder. Fire spatters in every direction. Gunshots light up the brass lamp on the foremost vessel amid the smoke of battle. In the haze, the gilded decoration shines through, while the shimmering heat gives the battered sails a warm glow. Calm and unmoved, the cool water reflects the hot metal of the guns.
Twelve ships are engaged in this encounter. The vessels flying the red battle flags are in the minority. These are the Hollanders, recognisable by their red-white-and-blue pennants. Three Dutchmen against nine pirates. We see the fight at its height.
The pirates are taking a battering. Dutch mariners have boarded the enemy and are hacking their opponents to pieces with their swords. Meanwhile, the Dutch gun crews are busy firing fresh broadsides.
There are three groups of ships. This device enabled Backhuyzen to make skilful use of atmospheric perspective. In the middle distance, the contours are hazier and the colours less intense. In the foreground, the wood of the masts is meticulously
detailed. All the sails of this cluster of vessels vary in colour. Furthest away, on the left, however, the ships are obscured by the haze. Detail and colour are blurred as the sound of gunfire ebbs away.
Ludolf Backhuyzen depicted the dramatic scene with a certain restraint. The sea itself is calm and rhythmical. A serene sky forms the backdrop for the battle. Nature remains unmoved by this violent encounter between men. The smoke rises gradually as the
sky changes colour from deep-pink to bright blue. Victory is nigh.
Nature’s tempestuous power plays a subordinate role in this drama, in which the violence is man’s. A fantastic spectacle unfolds. The nine pirate ships are no match for the three Dutch vessels. But the viewer follows the battle to the bitter end, the
tension never abating. It is a splendid triumph not to be missed.
Provenance
Amsterdam auction, 25 April 1911, no. 175 a
Private collection
References
Dr C. Hofstede de Groot, Beschreibendes und Kritisches Verzeichnis der Werke der hervorragendsten Holländische Maler des XVII. Jahrhunderts, vol. 7, Esslingen and Paris 1918, p. 326, no. 34:
SEESCHLACHT ZWISCHEN NIEDERLÄNDISCHEN SCHIFFEN UND PIRATEN Heftige Kanonade; Rauchwolken stiegen auf. Am blauen Himmel grosse Wolken, die durch die Sonne rosa gefärbt sind. Mit dem Monogramm bezeichnet. Leinwand 103 x 137 cm. Nachtrag Versteigerung de
K. u. A. in Amsterdam am 25. April 1911, no. 175 A (fl. 300.-).