Titelpagina van het pamflet: Den Spaenschen ende Arragoenschen spiegel. Inde welcke men mach claerlick ende waerachtich sien tot wat eynde (...) het voornemen is (...) van 't Spaensche Crijchsvolck, dat hem desen Winter heeft gehouden in den Westphaelschen Creyts, 1599 1599

This is the title page of a pamphlet from 1599, made using woodcut printmaking techniques. It offers a Dutch perspective on Spanish military activity in Westphalia. The image creates meaning through a combination of visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. At the centre, we see an allegorical image of Spain as a cruel tyrant, while smaller vignettes show the devastation wrought by Spanish soldiers. The text surrounding these images uses stark language to paint a picture of Spanish oppression. This pamphlet reflects the political and religious tensions of the time, as the Dutch Republic was fighting for independence from Spanish rule. Through emotive imagery, the pamphlet critiques Spanish power, appealing to shared Protestant identity. Understanding this image requires research into the history of the Dutch Revolt, as well as the religious and political context of the time. It demonstrates how art can serve as a powerful tool for political persuasion, shaping public opinion and challenging existing power structures.