Uitval op de Boshuyser schans, 1574 1835 - 1899

J.C. Wendel’s drawing depicts the military event, ‘Uitval op de Boshuyser schans, 1574’. It captures a moment in the Eighty Years’ War, a period of immense upheaval as the Dutch fought for independence from Spanish rule. The drawing visualizes a stark power dynamic, portraying a bloody skirmish between Dutch rebels and Spanish forces. The Dutch identity was forged in resistance and revolution, and Wendel’s drawing participates in constructing a narrative of heroic struggle against an oppressive empire. We see violence upfront, but in the background, the detailed cityscape reminds us of what is at stake: home, community, and freedom. The lack of color lends a documentary feel, as if we are viewing an eyewitness account of the battle. Though created long after the event, the artwork still evokes the raw emotion and the high stakes of the conflict. Wendel's work serves as a reminder of the human cost of conflict and the enduring power of art to shape our understanding of history.