Aanval op de stad Doullens, 1597 1597 - 1599

This anonymous print depicts the attack on the city of Doullens in 1597. The image offers a bird's-eye view of the siege, a visual strategy common in the Netherlands during this period to represent battles with accuracy. The print's visual language reflects the complex socio-political landscape of the time. The Netherlands was in the midst of the Eighty Years' War, a struggle for independence from Spanish rule. Prints like this served a crucial public role in shaping opinion and bolstering the Dutch cause, not only celebrating military events, but also fostering a sense of national identity. The detailed rendering of military tactics and fortifications speaks to a sophisticated understanding of warfare. These images were often circulated among a wide audience, including military professionals, political elites, and the general public. By studying such prints, historians can gain insights into the social conditions, political movements, and institutional forces that shaped the art and warfare of the early modern period.