Flemish school of the late 18th century

Flemish school; late 18th century.
"Marina".
Gouache and ink on paper glued to cardboard.
It presents faults and stains caused by humidity.
Measurements: 26 x 42 cm; 43 x 59 cm (frame).

The genre of the navy in the painting of the XVIII century reached a maturity that consolidated it as one of the favorite themes of the visual culture of the Enlightenment. Far from being a mere topographical record or an exercise in technical virtuosity, marine painting in this period became a space for dialogue between science, politics and aesthetics, reflecting the growing European interest in geographical knowledge, exploration and mastery of the seas.
In France, England and the Netherlands, this genre acquired special relevance. Painters took great pains to represent the accuracy of ships and naval maneuvers, feeding both national pride and the memory of great maritime deeds. In Spain, the Bourbon impulse to nautical science and the modernization of the navy led to a renewed interest in the subject: ports, shipyards and arsenals were depicted in almost documentary detail, reflecting naval power as an emblem of modernity and order.