Maastricht ingenomen door Parma, 1579 c. 1581 - 1585

This engraving by Frans Hogenberg depicts the siege of Maastricht in 1579. Observe the chaotic scene, dominated by figures clashing on a bridge, a potent symbol of transition and conflict. The bridge motif appears throughout art history. Think of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, a site of trade and social interaction, or the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, which funnels prisoners from courtrooms to dungeons. Each bridge carries its own weight of historical and emotional significance, shaped by its unique cultural context. Hogenberg’s bridge is a site of struggle, bodies falling into the river. It’s a space of literal and symbolic crossing, reflecting the profound upheaval and violence of religious conflict. The recurring image of the bridge serves as a vessel for collective memory, echoing through time and resurfacing in various forms, each bridge a testament to the enduring human experience of transition, connection, and confrontation.