Zeeslag bij Kaap La Hogue
1692
Medium
striking (metalworking)
Dimensions
31.92; 4.7
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Gift of J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff
Art Historical Context
### Zeeslag bij Kaap Hogue (Sea Battle at Cape Laogue) This striking anonymous artwork from 1692 commemorates one of the pivotal naval clashes of the Nine Years' War, the Battle of La Hogue (also as Cape La Hougue). Fought off the coast of Normandy, the Anglo-Dutch fleet decisively defeated French navy, thwarting Louis XIV's invasion plans against England and securing William III's throne. Created in the immediate aftermath, this piece captures the era's intense maritime rivalries and the era of grand European power struggles. Crafted through the metalworking technique of *striking*—where a metal blank is hammered between engraved dies—this medal measures just 4.7 cm in diameter and weighs 31.92 grams, making it a portable yet intricate token of triumph. Such commemorative medals were popular in the late 17th century, blending artistry with propaganda to celebrate military victories and circulate among elites and collectors. Generously donated by J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff, this artifact offers a tangible glimpse into 17th-century Dutch artistic traditions and historical memory, reminding us how small objects preserved the echoes of epic sea battles.
About the Artist
anonymous
In the vast tapestry of art history, "Anonymous" stands not as a singular individual but as a collective designation for countless unidentified creators whose works have endured across millennia. These artists, spanning prehistoric cave painters to medieval illuminators and folk craftsmen, produced the foundational layers of human visual culture. Prior to the Renaissance, when individual fame emer...