Recht fries 1572

This small etching entitled 'Recht fries', was created by Johannes and Lucas van Doetechum. It is likely that this print was made in the context of the Eighty Years' War, a period of intense conflict and nation-building in the Netherlands. The detailed arrangement of armor, weapons, and musical instruments serves as a symbolic display of power and readiness for battle. It is impossible to ignore how the depiction of military strength and readiness also reflects the societal values and power structures of the time. Consider the potential human costs of war, the lives disrupted, and the complex ethical questions raised by armed conflict. This image serves as a reminder of the weight of history and the legacies of conflict that continue to shape our world.