Bombardement van Luxemburg door de maarschalk de Créquy, 1684 1684

This is Romeyn de Hooghe’s engraving, Bombardment of Luxembourg by Marshal de Créquy, made in 1684. De Hooghe created this print during a politically turbulent time in Europe, when Louis XIV of France sought to expand his kingdom, leading to conflicts such as the Nine Years' War. De Hooghe, as a Dutch artist, would have been acutely aware of the power struggles between France and other European states. His detailed depiction of the bombardment is not just a record of military strategy; it also reflects the human cost of war. The print shows a bird’s-eye view of Luxembourg, but also includes the figures of soldiers in the foreground which brings the realities of conflict directly to the viewer. While seemingly a straightforward historical record, the engraving operates on many levels. It serves as propaganda, designed to showcase French military might, yet it cannot mask the underlying violence and destruction inherent in warfare. We are left contemplating the emotional weight of such events.