Spanjaarden verslagen bij Luik, 1577 1613 - 1615

This engraving titled *Spanjaarden verslagen bij Luik, 1577*, or Spaniards defeated near Liege, 1577, was created by an anonymous artist. The print depicts a scene from the Eighty Years' War, a period defined by the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule. This artwork, though small in scale, encapsulates the tumultuous intersection of politics, religion, and national identity that defined the era. The detailed rendering of the battle illustrates not just a military engagement, but a clash of cultures and ideologies. The text in the lower portion makes reference to valor and virtue, invoking a sense of moral superiority. The figures locked in combat become symbols of resistance, embodying the struggle for freedom against oppression. Consider how this image might have shaped contemporary perceptions of the conflict, and how it may have been used to bolster morale or demonize the enemy. How does the artist use symbolism to evoke particular emotions?