Inname van Aalst door de Spanjaarden, 1576 c. 1576 - 1579

This print, titled "Inname van Aalst door de Spanjaarden, 1576," was created by Frans Hogenberg. The composition is dominated by a bird's-eye view of Aalst, encircled by a river and fortifications. The layout offers a structured representation of urban space. Hogenberg employs a meticulous approach to detail. The dense arrangement of buildings, rendered with fine lines, creates a textured surface. The orderly disposition of troops and the geometric precision of the fortifications reflect a desire to impose order. The print employs a symbolic language typical of its time, where spatial relationships and visual elements were used to convey power dynamics and historical narratives. The representation of the Spanish conquest as an ordered, almost clinical operation subtly reinforces the invader’s control. This formal structure is not merely aesthetic; it's a visual encoding of political ideology.