Inname en plundering van Neuss, 1586 1613 - 1615

This print, made in 1586 by an anonymous artist, depicts the siege of Neuss. It's an etching, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with acid. This process allows for detailed, repeatable images – perfect for disseminating information. Look closely, and you’ll see a bird’s eye view of the city under attack. The lines are clean, precise, almost diagrammatic in their depiction. Smoke billows, cannons are positioned, and soldiers stand ready. The very act of etching itself speaks to a society organized for mass communication. This wasn't a unique artwork meant for a wealthy patron; it was designed to be multiplied, to spread news – or perhaps propaganda – far and wide. The print’s existence reminds us that even seemingly simple images can be understood as products of labor, of a particular material culture, and of larger social forces. It blurs the boundaries between art, documentation, and the machinery of early modern life.