Slag bij Steenkerke, 1692 1702 - 1703

This is an anonymous print from 1692 titled "Slag bij Steenkerke," or "Battle of Steenkerke," now held in the Rijksmuseum. Battle plans like this one were common in the Dutch Republic, serving as both records and propaganda. In this image, the spatial arrangement and minute details create meaning. The detailed rendering of troop positions, fortifications, and the lay of the land serves as a visual codex, idealizing the order that the Dutch sought to impose, while minimizing the chaos and suffering of war. The relatively neutral depiction also obscures the complex political dynamics of the time, when the Dutch Republic, under William of Orange, was at war with France. Consider the context. The Rijksmuseum itself embodies the Dutch Republic's self-image and national aspirations. Understanding the institutional history of museums, and the social conditions that shape the production of images such as these, are vital to the work of art historians. Primary source documents, military records, and political pamphlets can all help us to better understand the public role of art in shaping perceptions of history.