Slag bij Lesnaja, 1708 1708 - 1747

Maurice Baquoy made this print of the Battle of Lesnaya in 1708. This was a significant clash in the Great Northern War between Russia and Sweden. What we see is not just a record of events, but a carefully constructed image designed to convey particular meanings. Produced in the early 18th century, the print reflects the social and political context of a Russia undergoing modernization under Peter the Great. The print suggests an institution eager to assert its power on the European stage. Visual codes are strategically employed to emphasize order and control. The landscape is meticulously organized. The massed troops are well positioned to dominate a vast field. The Russian victory at Lesnaya was critical in paving the way for the more decisive Battle of Poltava the following year. Through understanding the political and social history of the time, we can appreciate the power of art as something contingent on historical and institutional context. By looking at resources such as military records or political correspondence, we can understand the message that this print was hoping to convey.