Antique Hand-Colored Copperplate Engraving 'Sea Battle of Michiel de Ruyter' (1676) – Daniel Stoopendaal

Are you a true enthusiast of Dutch maritime history or do you collect top pieces from the Golden Age? This is a breathtaking, original hand-coloured copper engraving by the world-famous master engraver Daniel Stoopendaal (1672–1726). 

The print depicts the legendary and fierce Battle of Agosta (Sicily) which took place on 22 April 1676. This was the historic naval battle in which the Dutch fleet under the leadership of Lieutenant-Admiral-General Michiel de Ruyter, together with the Spanish, fought against the French fleet under Abraham Duquesne. It is also the fateful battle in which De Ruyter was mortally wounded by a French cannonball. A print with an unprecedented historical and emotional charge! 

The Craftsmanship

Look at the details: the sea is literally strewn with dozens of ships of the line, burning masts, gunpowder smoke and sloops. On the right side you can very subtly see the contours of the volcano Etna rising ("De Bergh Aetna"), exactly as stated in the cartouche and legend.

At the bottom of the engraving is an extremely detailed, numbered legend in which the ships and their captains (such as Captain Adam van Brederode and De Ridder de la Fayette) are meticulously named. The engraving is signed in the plate at the bottom right with "Stoopendaal sculp." (Stoopendaal engraved this). The print is beautifully hand-coloured, which gives the flags, the fire from the cannons and the waves a fantastic depth. 

Product specifications

• Product: Original antique copper engraving (hand-coloured)
• Depiction: The Naval Battle at Etna / Agosta (22 April 1676)
• Engraver: Daniel Stoopendaal (signature Stoopendaal sculp. bottom left of the plate) 
• Provenance: From the iconic historical work "Het leven en bedryf van den heere Michiel de Ruiter" by Geeraert Brandt (published in Amsterdam, ca. 1687). 
• Frame: Supplied in a high-quality, wooden vintage floater frame with a luxurious passe-partout. The frame is still completely intact and closes perfectly.
• Condition: Good, lived-in antique condition. The print has some light, characteristic age spots (foxing) here and there in the sky, which underscores the authenticity of the 17th-century paper. The paper has not been corrected or cleaned to preserve the original character.
• Shipping: We prefer to leave the print in this beautiful frame. However, if you would like to receive only the loose engraving, we can professionally remove the print from the frame upon request and send it loose in a tube.

Dive Deeper into History (Blogs)

Would you like to know more about how these kinds of beautiful engravings were cut by hand into copper plates in the 17th century? Or are you curious about how to recognize the specific, hand-made paper from the Golden Age by watermarks and chain lines? Then read our extensive background articles on our blog page. Here we explain step by step the fascinating technique behind this centuries-old printing art!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is this a modern reproduction or a poster?
No, this is an original copper engraving printed on hand-made paper from the late 17th century (ca. 1687). 

What do the spots on the paper mean?
Those mild brown dots are called 'foxing' in the antique world. This is caused over the centuries by tiny iron particles in the old paper or by moisture exposure in the past. It does not damage the paper and actually gives collectors the visual guarantee that it is genuine antique paper.

Can I order the print without a frame?
Yes, you can. Simply indicate this with your order. We will then very carefully remove the engraving from the frame for you and ship it safely flat or in a sturdy tube.