Slag bij Seneffe, 1674 1684

Jacobus Harrewijn created this etching titled, “Battle of Seneffe, 1674,” sometime between 1674 and 1732. During this period, the Netherlands was a major military and economic power, frequently at war with neighboring countries. Harrewijn depicts the Battle of Seneffe fought between the Franco-Dutch War. While seemingly celebrating military might, images like this also reveal the human costs of war. The composition presents a panoramic view, teeming with soldiers, horses, and weaponry amidst swirling smoke and explosions. Bodies litter the foreground, a stark reminder of the violence and death inherent in battle. How do we reconcile the supposed glory of warfare with the brutal reality of its impact on individual lives? Whose stories are often untold in these grand depictions of historical events? Consider how the etching encourages reflection on themes of power, conflict, and the human condition.