Jan van Speijk lights the gunpowder fuse, 5 February 1831, (1831-1850). Creator: Jacobus Schoemaker Doyer.

Jan van Speijk lights the gunpowder fuse, 5 February 1831, (1831-1850).  Creator: Jacobus Schoemaker Doyer.

2-977-596 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Jan van Speijk lights the gunpowder fuse, 5 February 1831, (1831-1850). Dutch naval lieutenant commander with the United Netherlands Navy who became a hero in the Netherlands for his opposition to the Belgian Revolution. The Belgians stormed Van Speyk's ship, demanding he haul down the Dutch flag. Rather than surrender his ship, he fired a pistol (some versions say he threw a lighted cigar) into a barrel of gunpowder in the ship's magazine. According to legend he shouted, "I'd rather be blown up then". The number of Belgians killed is unknown, though it probably numbered in the dozens. Twenty-eight of his 31 crewmen also perished in the blast.


Image Details


People Information

Creator
  1. Jacobus Schoemaker Doyer, attributed to: Dutch: Artist, painter, copyist, lecturer
Subject
  1. Jan van Speiyk: Dutch: Naval officer, lieutenant commander

Medium
  1. Oil on canvas

Picture Type
  1. Painting
  2. Portrait

Geographic Hierarchy

World Europe Netherlands

  1. 52 30 00 N , 005 45 00 E

Category Hierarchy

History & Politics War & Military Wars, Battles & Events

Artistic Representations Portraits

People Other

History & Politics War & Military Military Figures & Personnel


Digital Image Size

Pixel Dimensions (W x H) : 2730x3464
File Size : 27,706kb


Aliases

  1. SK-C-222
  1. T
  1. 1060003806
  1. 2-977-596
  1. 2977596
  1. SK-C-222

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