Slagorde van de legers in de slag bij Dreux, 1562 1570

Jean Perrissin’s etching depicts the order of armies in the Battle of Dreux, a key event in the first French War of Religion in 1562. As a bird's eye view, the image presents the two opposing armies, one Catholic, the other Huguenot, meticulously arranged and labelled. The print's detailed rendering of troop formations and weaponry speaks to the period's fascination with military strategy and technology, revealing a culture embroiled in religious conflict. France was deeply divided in the 16th century by religious tensions, and institutions such as the monarchy and the Catholic Church played pivotal roles in shaping the conflict. This print can be seen as a strategic tool, documenting a pivotal moment in the conflict while commenting on the broader social structures of its time. To understand this print better, historians might turn to contemporary military treatises, religious pamphlets, and political documents, offering insights into the contingent relationship between art, society, and institutional power.