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Celebrating Admiral Jacob van Heemskerck Triumph at the Battle of Gibraltar

 This detailed portrait depicts Jacob van Heemskerck, a celebrated Dutch naval hero and explorer, in an oval frame surrounded by symbols of naval warfare and exploration.

Van Heemskerck is shown wearing elaborate armor, signifying his martial achievements and rank, with an air of determination and confidence. In the lower section of the engraving, galleons and naval artillery serve as emblems of his maritime career. Above, the inscription honors his prominence and noble qualities as an Admiral from Amsterdam. The engraving was executed by Crispijn de Passe the Elder, a master engraver of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, as indicated by his signature in the bottom-right corner.   The text below the map translates as follows:

For the fatherland, amidst uncertain ships, bold Heemskerck
Fought, and, with divine favor, emerged victorious.
Thus, he must be counted among the renowned heroes,
Whose soaring fame carries their name to the stars.

Jacob van Heemskerck

Jacob van Heemskerck (1567–1607) was a prominent Dutch naval commander and explorer during the Dutch Golden Age. Born in Amsterdam on March 13, 1567, he pursued studies in navigation as a young man, which led him to the service of the States General. His early career was marked by his participation in the ill-fated 1596 expedition to find a northeast passage to Asia, a voyage that became legendary due to Willem Barentsz's wintering on Nova Zembla. Despite the expedition's failure, Van Heemskerck gained recognition for his leadership and perseverance, which laid the foundation for his future endeavors.

In 1607, Van Heemskerck commanded a fleet of 26 ships tasked with disrupting Spanish naval power during the Eighty Years' War. This culminated in the historic Battle of Gibraltar, where his fleet decisively defeated a superior Spanish force anchored in the bay. Tragically, Van Heemskerck was struck by enemy fire during the engagement and succumbed to his injuries. Nevertheless, his leadership and tactical brilliance secured a crucial victory for the Dutch Republic. He was buried with great honor on June 8, 1607, in Amsterdam's Old Church, solidifying his legacy as a national hero.