HMS Steam-Powered Battleship Medusa Opening the Shimonoseki Straits, jonkheer Jacob Eduard van Heemskerck van Beest, 1864

HMS Steam-Powered Battleship Medusa Opening the Shimonoseki Straits, jonkheer Jacob Eduard van Heemskerck van Beest, 1864

oil on canvas, h 68cm × w 107cm More details

Around 1860 Japan was in turmoil about whether or not the country should engage in trade with the West. In 1863 insurgents – advocates of an isolationist policy – fired on western vessels, including the Dutch warship Medusa, in the Shimonoseki Straits. In retaliation, the western allies mounted a military expedition to end the blockade. The Netherlands once again deployed HMS Medusa for this mission.

On display in room 1.17

Color code: #6F828F Color code: #CABF9E Color code: #A0977A Color code: #5E5642 Color code: #857757 Color code: #322920
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