Spotprent op de Spanjaarden na het verlies van Breda, Thionville, Perpignan, Portugal en Catalonië, 1643 1643

This print, made in 1643 by an anonymous Dutch artist, depicts the Spanish Empire being stripped of its territories. The image connects to the wider context of the Eighty Years' War, in which the Dutch Republic fought for independence from Spain. The print uses visual codes to create meaning. The central figure, representing Spain, is being divested of clothing labeled with the names of cities and regions lost to its enemies: Breda, Thionville, Perpignan, Portugal and Catalonia. Each of the tormentors represents one of the enemies that defeated Spain on the battlefield. We can see how the artist's Dutch context influenced the image. The Dutch Republic was a rising commercial power, and the print reflects a sense of triumph over their former rulers. As historians, we can use resources like period maps, military histories, and political pamphlets to understand the artwork's context and the complex social and political forces that shaped it. By exploring this historical context, we can better understand the meaning of the artwork and its role in the cultural debates of its time.