Beleg van Oldeklooster, 1535 1612 - 1614

This small print, made in the Netherlands in 1535, depicts the siege of the Oldeklooster monastery. The image is full of ideological meaning, showing the siege of the monastery by forces loyal to the Holy Roman Empire, who saw it as a hotbed of Anabaptist sedition. The visual codes tell us a great deal. The imposing church dominates the image, emphasizing its power and wealth. The attacking troops are small and regimented, but well armed, representing a modern, disciplined army. The text above and below is in Dutch, indicating the print was intended for local consumption. We need to understand the religious conflicts of the time to appreciate its significance. The Anabaptists were seen as dangerous radicals who rejected infant baptism and other established social norms. The print is a piece of propaganda that legitimizes state violence in the name of religious order. To understand this image better, we might consult contemporary chronicles, pamphlets, and theological treatises. Art history shows us that images are never neutral; they reflect the social and institutional forces that shape their creation and reception.