Ship’s model of the Prins Willem, anonymous, 1651
The real Prins Willem left the harbour of Middelburg in 1651 for its maiden voyage to the East Indies. The ship sailed to Batavia (Jakarta) a total of five times before sinking – with no survivors – on its return home in 1662. The rudder is flanked by a city view of Middelburg, above which are the logo of the Dutch East India Company and a portrait of Prince William II.