Zeeslag bij la Rochelle, 1372 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella made this print of the Battle of La Rochelle, 1372, using pen and brown ink around 1640-1660. Such a detailed depiction of a battle on the open sea says a lot about the time and place of its making. France, in the 17th century, was constantly at war. Naval battles were of crucial importance to its status as a rising power. We can appreciate how the image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. As a record of a military event, this print would have been an extremely important resource, and it’s likely to have been commissioned by someone with a specific interest in naval history. As historians, we can use this image alongside a wide range of documents and material evidence to arrive at a deeper understanding of the Battle of La Rochelle. We can also examine the role of institutions and the social conditions that shaped the production of art in the 17th century.