Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s artwork “Seascape with a View of Antwerp” is an ink on paper piece from the Northern Renaissance movement, which measures 20 x 30 cm. It is characterized as a marina genre and is currently housed at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, UK.
The artwork depicts a dynamic and stormy seascape, capturing the force of the waves and the vastness of the sea. In the distance, the skyline of Antwerp can be seen, rendered with fine detail despite the small scale of the work. Several ships are battling the rough waters, their sails and structures etched with precise strokes to convey texture and dimension. The sea itself is a central character in this piece, illustrated with energetic lines that impart a sense of movement and turmoil. Bruegel’s mastery in depicting natural phenomena and human interaction with the environment is evident in this intricate composition.